Players and personnel within the Red Sox organization collectively decided Monday that simply coming out and asking MLB Commissioner Bud Selig if they could have a spot in the 2010 playoffs 'couldn't hurt' their odds of missing the postseason any more than their poor finish in the division. 'I'll mention that we've got a lot of fans who would love to watch us keep playing, and then I'll just ask, 'Can the Red Sox please be in the playoffs this year?'' general manager Theo Epstein said during a recent NESN interview. 'After all, the worst he could say is no.' Epstein added that depending on the feel of the meeting, he might also inquire about a first-round bye. 