Red Sox and Astros through to play-offs
The Red Sox, seeking a repeat after capturing their first title since 1918, were ensured of the American League wild card spot when the Cleveland Indians lost to the Chicago White Sox 3-1.
The Astros defeated the Chicago Cubs 6-4 to secure the National League’s wild card play-off berth, denying the Philadelphia Phillies a post-season berth.
Advancing to post-season play with the best second-place division record can be crucial. The past three World Series champions all reached the playoffs as wild card qualifiers.
The Red Sox showdown with the arch-rival Yankees was made a bit of an anti-climax when Cleveland lost, handing Boston the final play-off spot. The Indians won only once in the final eight days, spoiling their late charge.
“There wasn’t a whole lot that was easy,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. “We went through so much and it was sometimes so hard to be good.
“As important as the game (was) today, when word filters down and you see the scoreboard changing, it is hard not to feel emotional. It just kind of hits you.”
Spectators at Fenway Park cheered when the Cleveland result was announced, although the Red Sox were taking care of business themselves, leading 6-0 in the fifth inning in a game they would have had to win had Cleveland won.
With the best second-place record, the Red Sox will face Central division champions Chicago in the first round of the American League play-offs while the AL East champions Yankees play the AL West champions Los
Angeles Angels.
Both AL play-off series begin today.
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