What happened: Boston still has a front-of-rotation call to make if it opens a postseason series next week. That decision sits alongside broader October planning after the club spent this week sorting bullpen roles.

Why it matters: The first starter sets the rest of a short series and can dictate how aggressively a club uses its top relievers behind him. For Boston, that call matters even more with the AL fifth seed firming up and little margin for a rough opener.

What to watch: Watch how Boston lines up its final regular-season starts and whether the club tips its hand before the Wild Card round.