Red Sox Clinch Wild Card, Will Face Yankees

The Boston Red Sox clinched a postseason spot when Ceddanne Rafaela hit a walk-off triple at Fenway, giving Boston its 89th win and securing the American League's second wild-card berth. Boston will face the New York Yankees in a best-of-three Wild Card Series played entirely at Yankee Stadium beginning Tuesday night, needing to win two of three games to advance. Fans — many traveling long distances and celebrating around Fenway — rejoiced at the end of a four-year playoff drought as the ballpark regained its trademark electricity. Players and manager Alex Cora celebrated in the clubhouse, praising the team's late-season resilience. The Detroit Tigers also clinched a playoff berth this season and held raucous postseason celebrations despite a difficult September, while Boston supporters are optimistic the team can carry its momentum into October.