Red Sox clinch playoff berth: Three reasons why Boston is a legitimate World Series contender

The Boston Red Sox are going to the postseason. The Red Sox punched their ticket on Sunday with a loss by the Houston Astros. It is Boston's second straight trip to the playoffs after reaching the postseason just once from 2019-24. Although it is not yet locked in, the Red Sox will likely play the rival New York Yankees in the Wild Card Series.

The postseason clincher comes after the Red Sox started the season 32-46, an ugly opening that saw manager Alex Cora lose his job and Craig Breslow, the team's chief baseball officer, field questions about his own job security. On June 25, the Red Sox beat the Yankees in the first of four games at Fenway Park to begin this run to a postseason berth. They went on to sweep that four-game series and have baseball's best record since June 25.

Credit the pitching staff, especially the rotation. Trade addition Sonny Gray, free-agent signing Ranger Suárez, and homegrown lefty Payton Tolle lead a rotation that is top five in WAR. The bullpen, anchored by closer Aroldis Chapman, has been among baseball's best as well. The offense picked it up midseason to support that dynamite pitching staff.

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Original source: https://www.cbssports.com/