Defending champion Red Sox fail to make postseason
The 2018 World Series champions will not have a chance at repeating in October, as the Boston Red Sox were officially eliminated from the postseason with the Cleveland Indians' win against the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday.
After a ninth-inning rally, the Red Sox also lost their tilt against the Tampa Bay Rays in extras, though the Indians' victory had already mathematically eliminated the defending champs from playoff eligibility.
It will be the first time since 2015 that the Red Sox miss the playoffs.
Boston cruised to the Fall Classic last year, winning a franchise-best 108 regular-season games and posting an 11-3 playoff record - never facing elimination - en route to its fourth championship since 2004.
The Red Sox entered the 2019 campaign with the most expensive team in the sport, blowing by the $206-million competitive-balance tax with a $229-million payroll, according to Spotrac.
Boston made headlines last week when it abruptly dismissed president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski.