‘We’re right there’: Alex Cora offered an honest reaction to Red Sox playoff chase

Boston enters Tuesday night's game against the Orioles only three games back from the final wild card spot.

Despite recently enduring a five-game losing streak, and posting the worst team ERA since the All-Star break, the playoffs remain an almost inexplicable possibility for the Red Sox.

With the 12-3 win over the Orioles on Monday, Boston is now just three games back from the final American League wild card spot.

It’s an astonishing state of affairs for anyone who has watched what could only be described as an imperfect team over the last few weeks (Boston also currently leads the league with 105 errors committed). As he surveyed the situation on Monday night, Red Sox manager Alex Cora provided a perfect summary.

“We’re right there. Still right there. I don’t know how,” said Cora, acknowledging the seemingly improbable playoff race.

The Boston manager paid tribute to his team’s mentality.

“They show up every day. They work hard, and they did an amazing job offensively today,” he concluded.

Granted, the playoff prospects remains distant. The Red Sox odds of making the postseason are now 11.4 percent, according to FanGraphs. While still within striking distance of the wild card, Boston is also tied in the standings with the Mariners and Tigers. And if recent history is any indication, the chase for the final spot could prove to be short-lived.

Since emerging with a hard-fought 53-43 record (.552) at the All-Star break, the Red Sox have experienced multiple reversals. Coupled with the struggling pitching and defense, Boston has sustained three separate four-game losing streaks, as well as the recent five-game skid.

But with the Twins — the current occupants of the league’s third wild card place — submerged in their own four-game losing streak (and five of the last six), the door remains momentarily ajar, if not entirely open for Boston.

The remaining schedule initially provides little respite for Cora’s team. After finishing up the current series against the playoff-bound Orioles, the Red Sox then face the A.L. East leading Yankees in New York for four games.

The remaining 12 games after that will then offer some opportunity if Boston is still in contention. Two series against the Rays and one against the Blue Jays will finish up divisional games, with a pivotal three-game set against the Twins at Fenway Park also being played in that time (starting on Sept. 20).