The Red Sox shouldn't mess around at Thursday's MLB trade deadline. With the team right in the thick of the playoff race, the Boston brass has to go for it. A fourth straight October without playoff baseball will not be acceptable.

TRADE: The Red Sox have made a deadline deal, sending minor-league infielder Blaze Jordan to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for 34-year-old pitcher Steven Matz. The Cardinals officially announced the move Thursday morning. The veteran lefty worked out of the bullpen in St. Louis, but has experience starting games.

For the first time since 2021, the Red Sox will arrive at the trade deadline in possession of one of the American League’s six postseason spots. Now, Craig Breslow has a chance to bolster the roster for a playoff push, with the Sox winning 17 of their last 25 games to make a strong case for October baseball.