Overview

• Boston beat Detroit 4-3 at Fenway to secure its first postseason trip since 2021, with Ceddanne Rafaela’s ninth-inning triple following Jarren Duran’s game-tying RBI in the eighth.
• A champagne-soaked clubhouse celebration followed as Alex Cora told players they didn’t come just to play 162 games and stated the goal is to win the World Series.
• Cora also asserted that “nobody thought” Boston would reach October, a claim that drew pushback from media and fans pointing to preseason projections of a playoff-caliber team.
• The Red Sox are locked into an AL Wild Card berth and project as the No. 5 or No. 6 seed, with a road series set to begin Tuesday against either New York or Toronto depending on final results.
• Key season drivers include ace Garrett Crochet’s standout campaign, and outfielder Roman Anthony said he is working to return from a left oblique strain.