BOSTON — For the second straight night, the Red Sox have a chance to clinch their first playoff spot in four years. A win tonight over the Detroit Tigers would return the Sox to the postseason for the first time since 2021.
Boston’s magic number is one — meaning any combination of one more Red Sox victory or another loss by the Houston Astros would wrap up a wild card spot. It’s possible, of course, that the Red Sox could lose Friday night and still get into the postseason hours later if the Astros lose in Anaheim to the Los Angeles Angels.
The lineup for the potential clincher is pretty standard, though outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela has been elevated to the sixth spot. He had been frequently hitting eighth or ninth in recent weeks.
Lefty Kyle Harrison, who made his first start for the