(Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images)

The American League East race just got closer, and the Toronto Blue Jays could help themselves with a big response Wednesday night against the visiting Boston Red Sox.

The Red Sox (86-71) defeated the Blue Jays (90-67) in the opener of a three-game series 4-1 on Tuesday, with Nathaniel Lowe and Carlos Narvaez each accounting for two RBIs.

The loss cut the Blue Jays' lead in the division to one game over the second-place New York Yankees, who defeated the Chicago White Sox 3-2.

The Red Sox sit in the second AL wild-card spot, one game up on the Detroit Tigers and two games over the Houston Astros, making each of their remaining games just as crucial as they are for Toronto. The Blue Jays have clinched at least a wild-card berth.

'We have five games left and a one-game cushion to try and win the division,' Toronto manager John Schneider said. 'I don't want to say we're playing with house money; we're not. The goal is to win the division. These games are important.'

The Blue Jays, who led the division by five games on Sept. 16, have lost five of their past six games. They do hold the tiebreaker over the Yankees because of their 8-5 advantage in the season series.

The Blue Jays were upset with a couple of calls in the second inning on Tuesday. George Springer's bases-loaded smash over third base was ruled to be foul, and then he was retired on a disputed called third strike.

Toronto is scheduled to start right-hander Max Scherzer (5-4, 5.06 ERA) on Wednesday. He is 5-6 with a 5.67 ERA in 13 career starts against the Red Sox but has not faced them since 2023.

The moment won't be too big for Scherzer, certainly. The 18-year veteran has played in the postseason in 10 different seasons, including on two World Series-winning teams.

Left-hander Garrett Crochet (17-5, 2.69 ERA) is the expected Boston starter on Wednesday. He is 3-1 with a 1.31 ERA in five career games (three starts) against the Blue Jays. In two starts against them in April, Crochet posted a 1-1 record and a 2.13 ERA.

Boston manager Alex Cora juggled the rotation, moving Crochet to the middle game of the series and pushing Brayan Bello to the finale on Thursday.

The move would set up Crochet to start the opener of a wild-card series should the Red Sox qualify.

'Trying to punch the ticket (for the postseason), it feels really good,' Crochet said. 'You are setting the tone for the team.'

One of Crochet's goals on Wednesday will be to gain better command of his four-seam fastball.

'You start to feel like it has to be in the perfect spot because it's not moving,' he said. 'I'm trying to get back in rhythm (with it) as quickly as possible.'

Toronto's Anthony Santander, who hasn't played since May 29 due to inflammation in his left shoulder, is ready to play. He was reinstated from the 60-day injured list on Tuesday when Ty France was put on the IL with an oblique injury incurred during batting practice.

In a corresponding move, right-hander Alek Manoah was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. He was pitching at Triple-A Buffalo.

Santander was off to a slow start this season before his injury. He did not play on Tuesday, but Schneider said he intends to work him into the lineup 'whether it's starting, whether it's pinch hitting, whatever it may be.'

--Field Level Media