After a 6-2 road trip, the Red Sox are back within sniffing distance with 25 games to go in the race for the postseason. To get back to October, Boston needs to erase a five-game deficit to the Indians to claim the second American League Wild Card spot, entering play on Monday. Another option would be to topple the Rays, who currently have a small hold on the top AL Wild Card position and lead Boston by 5 1/2 games. The Red Sox also trail the Athletics by 4 1/2 games in the AL Wild Card standings.

In the simplest terms, the Sox must leapfrog two of the three teams they currently trail.

• Here's how the playoff rosters might look

The path for September is challenging, but not impossible.

Since we are forward thinkers at MLB.com, here is how a potential postseason roster might shake out if the Red Sox can secure an AL Wild Card spot, win the AL Wild Card Game and then get to the AL Division Series.

Catchers (2): Christian Vazquez, Sandy Leon

Unlike last season -- when the Red Sox carried three catchers throughout the postseason -- they will go back to the traditional two this year. With Chris Sale likely out of the mix due to his elbow injury, Vazquez would likely make every start during a Boston postseason run. Leon is a solid defender and manager Alex Cora won’t hesitate to get him out there in late-game situations. However, his bat has been nearly non-existent for the second straight campaign.

Infielders (7): Mitch Moreland, Sam Travis, Brock Holt, Michael Chavis, Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers, Marco Hernandez

Cora has been managing first base like a straight platoon of late. However, given Moreland’s big-game experience and stellar defense, you wonder if he might get some starts against lefties should the Red Sox get to October. If not, Cora could play either Travis or Chavis at first.

For the second straight season, Holt is on a second-half tear and should get all the starts at second against righties. Chavis could get time there against lefties. However, the rookie is currently trying to bounce back from multiple injuries and it’s unclear when he will be activated. Chavis is a natural third baseman, but don’t look for Devers to get any innings off in the postseason. Left-handed hitting Hernandez is solid at second, short and third and has been giving the Red Sox competitive at-bats whenever he is called upon.

Outfield (4): Andrew Benintendi, Jackie Bradley Jr., Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez

Not much to debate here. The Sox have two of the best two-way players in the game in Benintendi and Betts, plus an elite defender in center field in Bradley. Martinez is a hitting beast who would stick at DH during a postseason run, unless the Red Sox make the World Series. In that scenario, he would play left or right in the NL park with Bradley likely heading to the bench.

Starting pitchers (4): Eduardo Rodriguez, David Price, Nathan Eovaldi, Rick Porcello

The rotation was supposed to be a strength, but the Red Sox have had to patch it together -- especially with Sale out. Rodriguez has turned into the team’s most dependable starter. Price just returned from a left wrist injury and will spend September building his innings back up. Eovaldi seems to be settling into a rhythm at last, in a year in which he’s been challenged by both injuries and moving back and forth between roles. Porcello has had a challenging season, but has pitched better as of late.

Relief pitchers (8): Brandon Workman, Matt Barnes, Darwinzon Hernandez, Josh Taylor, Andrew Cashner, Marcus Walden, Ryan Brasier, Brian Johnson

Workman is having a tremendous season and developed into Cora’s closer in the second half. Barnes has had his ups and downs, but he has dominant stuff when he’s right. So, too, does rookie Hernandez, who has been electric as a lefty. The unheralded Taylor has come out of nowhere to give the Sox many big outs. Cashner struggled mightily as a starter after being acquired from the Orioles, but has been terrific as a reliever. Walden has been another find, after spending his previous seasons almost exclusively in the Minor Leagues. Brasier was last year’s feel-good story, but has been inconsistent this season and will spend September trying to prove he belongs on a potential postseason roster.

Johnson is another pitcher who hasn’t performed close to the level he did a year ago. But he is in the mix for the final spot if the Sox take eight relievers. He’ll have competition from frequent callup Travis Lakins and the erratic Hector Velazquez. Don’t count out recently acquired Jhoulys Chacin, who made 19 starts for the Brewers and will try to get his groove back with Boston.