It was just one series, one weekend. But the realities of this time of year is hard to ignore. Just ask the Cubs.

David Ross' team came into the three-game set with the Red Sox knowing it was up against the clock when it came defining its existence. Buyers? Believers? Nope.

What the Cubs felt after Sunday's 11-5 loss to the Sox was desperation bordering on resignation. It was a feeling shared by a few clubs after three post-All-Star break contests. The Cubs are eight games out of a postseason spot. The Mets sit 8 1/2 back in the National League Wild Card race. PIttsburgh? Forget about it. They are 10 1/2 out. And San Diego has burst out of the break with three straight losses to put their deficit at eight games.

The Red Sox, however, at living a different sort of life. They are seemingly finally on the cusp of defining themselves in a good way.

Alex Cora's club is now 1 1/2 games out of the final American League Wild Card spot, having taken two out of three games against the best Chicago has to offer - starters Kyle Hendricks, Marcus Stroman and All-Star Justin Steele.

Best-case scenarios are popping up all over the roster. Kutter Crawford. Masa Yoshida. Jarren Duran. Triston Casas. Justin Turner. Connor Wong. Chris Martin. Kenley Jansen. Brayan Bello. James Paxton. Yu Chang. Rob Refsnyder. Alex Verdugo. All best-case scenarios, or pretty darn close to it.