Red Sox clinch playoff berth after 10th straight win
The Boston Red Sox are heading to the postseason.
After defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 6-4 on Saturday - thanks to some late-inning heroics courtesy of second baseman Dustin Pedroia - the Red Sox won their 10th consecutive game and clinched a playoff berth in the process. It was the first time the Red Sox have won 10 consecutive games since 1949.
The math behind the postseason is odd, but Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal sums it up nicely.
Magic number to beat BAL: 1
— Brian MacPherson (@brianmacp) September 25, 2016
Magic number to beat TOR: 3
Because they play three times, TOR must lose three times or BAL must lose once. https://t.co/pUgWdzoUSS
The turnaround for the Red Sox is remarkable, considering they finished 2015 in last place in the American League East with a 78-84 record. They currently lead the division at 91-64.