Red Sox become 1st team to clinch playoff berth
The Boston Red Sox officially punched their tickets to the 2018 postseason Tuesday as the team continues to put together a historic campaign by beating the Toronto Blue Jays 7-2.
It's the first time the Red Sox will make three straight playoff appearances since 2007-09.
Boston improved to 99-46 on the season with the win at Fenway Park and owns a nine-game lead over the New York Yankees as the club closes in on a third consecutive division title.
The @RedSox are the first team in the dance – with the AL East crown still in their sights. #CLINCHED pic.twitter.com/VxFOOILXBC
— MLB (@MLB) September 12, 2018
In his first season as manager, Alex Cora became the first rookie skipper to inherit a playoff team and clinch a postseason berth the following year since Dave Roberts took over the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016. No rookie manager has won the World Series since Bob Brenly's Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001.
Left-handed ace Chris Sale made his return from the disabled list and pitched the opening frame, but promptly turned it over to the bullpen working on an abbreviated pitch count. Ryan Brasier earned the win in relief - the second of his career.
Brock Holt's three-run homer in the seventh inning put the team ahead by two runs, and the club never looked back, adding a trio of runs in the bottom of the eighth as well.
By win percentage, the Red Sox are in the midst of their second-best season in franchise history. With a win percentage of .683, only their 1912 campaign when they went 105-47 (.691) is better. Coincidentally, the 1912 season was the first year the franchise won the World Series since changing its name from the Boston Americans, beating the New York Giants in eight games.