Overview

• Boston secured a 4-3 win on Ceddanne Rafaela’s ninth-inning RBI triple, locking in the club’s first postseason berth since 2021.
• The Red Sox lead the series 1-0 entering Saturday at Fenway; Connelly Early is scheduled to start for Boston with Detroit listing Keider Montero.
• Detroit can clinch a playoff spot with a victory this afternoon or with an Astros loss to the Angels later tonight.
• The Tigers are tied with the Guardians atop the AL Central, but Cleveland holds the tiebreaker, a factor that could determine division placement and seeding.
• Reigning Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal is lined up for a potential Sunday start as Detroit tries to stop a skid that includes 12 losses in its last 14 games.