The Boston Red Sox are facing a challenging period as they push for a postseason berth, currently four games behind the final AL wild card spot. Prominent acquisitions like reliever Luis García have not panned out as hoped, with García landing on the injured list amid struggles. Meanwhile, top prospect Marcelo Mayer's promising season has been cut short due to a lumbar strain, marking the second consecutive year his season has ended prematurely. Despite hitting .307 with eight homers in Double-A, Mayer's injury raises concerns about his durability. Red Sox manager Alex Cora remains hopeful but acknowledges the difficulties ahead, emphasizing the importance of keeping players healthy.