Cora pumps brakes amidst Red Sox skid: ‘We should stop talking October’

With his association s season at a crossroads Red Sox manager Alex Cora wants to pump the brakes And hopefully reset I think we should stop talking October to be honest with you noted Cora on Saturday afternoon There s a lot of stuff going on and we have to play better I m not saying we re in a bad spot but I think we have to wait you know to see if October is part of this The Red Sox entered Saturday - but - in their last games and - since Aug They posted an MLB-best - record at home between June and Aug but have since gone - at Fenway They re sliding down the division and Wild Card standings while other American League clubs surge uncomfortably close Offensive production has largely evaporated in the absence of the injured Wilyer Abreu calf and Roman Anthony oblique The Red Sox entered Saturday hitting with a OPS in eight games since Anthony s Sept injury They went - in that span and were held to one run in three of their losses On Friday night the Yankees no-hit them until two outs in the seventh when Nate Eaton homered for the first time this season It was the first of a season-low two hits by Boston in the contest which they lost - despite being gifted five walks They re for with runners in scoring position in their last two games Abreu ran up to -percent on Friday and the Red Sox expect to activate him either during the Athletics series this week at Fenway or next weekend in Tampa Anthony is beginning to walk on the treadmill but the Red Sox can t afford to wait for anyone after Saturday only regular-season games remain We have to be better offensively disclosed Cora Obviously no Willy no Roman it s a different group it s a different lineup But guys that are able to execute They ve been here the whole season they ve been part of it so I think they re capable of putting better at-bats and get the line moving Pitching depth is thin too Dustin May and Brennan Bernardino landed on the injured list this week and Cora mentioned Luis Guerrero hasn t been consistent on his rehab assignment The Red Sox shut down Liam Hendriks throwing venture after he experienced forearm tightness and he authenticated that his season is greater part likely over We need guys to step up Cora mentioned of his bullpen We feel like Justin Slaten is getting to the point that we can use him more than what we have the last two weeks and obviously Greg Weissert he s been a part of it the whole season When inquired if the Red Sox might carry a third catcher in October Cora completely noted Hopefully we have to make that decision