The Red Sox advanced to the playoffs for the first time since 2021 on Friday night, beating the Detroit Tigers 4-3. Manager Alex Cora held court in the clubhouse before a champagne celebration ensued, delivering a powerful message.

The Boston Red Sox came from behind on Friday night to beat the Detroit Tigers 4-3 at Fenway Park, clinching their first playoff berth since 2021. 

Boston is now 88-72 and they will finish third in the American League East, while Detroit is 86-74 and tied with the Cleveland Guardians for the American League Central lead with two games to play.

The Red Sox won the game thanks to a walk-off triple from Ceddanne Rafaela, who was 2-for-4. 

After the game was over, the Red Sox held a celebration in the clubhouse (and on the field), with manager Alex Cora delivering an inspiring message to his group.

Cora, who has been with the Red Sox since 2018 (except for 2020), said "We didn't come here to only play 162. We came here to win a World Series."

An offseason of shots pays off

After vowing to go "full-throttle" in the offseason before 2024, the Red Sox actually did it this year, and it's paid dividends. The team traded a stockpile of prospects for ace pitcher Garrett Crochet, who will certainly get Cy Young consideration.

Furthermore, they went out and added reliever Aroldis Chapman, who has gone 5-3 with a minuscule 1.17 ERA. And while the addition of Walker Buehler didn't work out, the aggressiveness from Craig Breslow and Co. didn't stop in the winter, as they also dealt away Rafael Devers in June in a much-maligned move that has actually paid off.

Overcoming tumultuous times 

Boston has dealt with its fair share of injuries this season, as Lucas Giolito began the year on the injured list with a hamstring issue and pitcher Kutter Crawford has missed the entire season.

Furthermore, young stars Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony went down in the second half, with Mayer out for the year and Anthony only questionable to return for the playoffs.

Outfielder Wilyer Abreu missed time with a calf injury recently and Alex Bregman was on the injured list in the middle of the season.

Yet, through all that, here they are.

Bounce back years

Boston wouldn't be here without the contributions of two players specifically: Trevor Story, who spent most of the first three years of his Red Sox on the injured list, has hit .265 with a .746 OPS. He has 25 home runs and 96 RBIs.

Also, Giolito missed 2024 with arm surgery and has come back nicely, going 10-4 with a 3.41 ERA in 26 starts.

What's next

The Red Sox will play the Tigers again on Saturday, with first pitch coming at 4:10 p.m. ET. The only thing left to play for is playoff seeding, as the Red Sox can earn either the No. 5 or the No. 6 seed.

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