The Red Sox beat the Detroit Tigers on Friday night in walk-off fashion, which is something they've made a habit of in 2025.

The Boston Red Sox clinched their first playoff berth since 2021 by virtue of a 4-3 win over the Detroit Tigers on Friday night at Fenway Park.

Ceddanne Rafaela won the game with a walk-off triple as part of a 2-for-4 effort. The youngster sent a blast out to deep center field that Parker Meadows was just unable to grab up against the fence.

You can watch the play and hear the call below:

Walk-offs are nothing new to Boston, as they lead baseball in the category this season with 12. The 12 walk-offs are the second-most in franchise history for a season, tying 1961 and only trailing the 13 in 1940. That was noted by @SoxNotes on social media.

The Red Sox are now 88-74 and they are assured of finishing third in the American League East. With two games left in the regular season, it's unclear if the Red Sox will be the No. 5 or the No. 6 seed in the playoffs.

The Tigers are 84-76 and will clinch a playoff berth with a win or a Houston Astros loss. They are also tied for the American League Central lead with the Cleveland Guardians. Detroit can finish with the No. 3 seed, the No. 5 seed or the No. 6 seed.

Why the Red Sox can make October noise

Boston has certainly its share of ups-and-downs this season, but they have plenty of ability to chase their first World Series title since 2018.

• They have a top-flight ace in Garrett Crochet who will garner Cy Young consideration. He is 18-5 with a 2.59 ERA and he leads baseball in strikeouts with 255. That will play in any short series.
• They have a dominant closer in Aroldis Chapman. As bullpens become a bigger part of October strategy, having a good closer is paramount. He's 5-3 with a 1.17 ERA and 32 saves. The eight-time All-Star has struck out 85 batters in 61.1 innings.
• They have a manager who has been there before. Alex Cora won a World Series with the Red Sox in 2018 and took them to the American League Championship Series in 2021.
• They have youth. Sometimes it can be a detriment, but sometimes it can be an energy-giver. Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu and Carlos Narvaez all can pack a punch, and might they get Roman Anthony back from injury?

What's next

The Red Sox and Tigers will play on Saturday at 4:10 p.m. ET. Connelly Early will start for Boston against Keider Montero.

RELATED RED SOX STORIES

DURAN MAKES HISTORY: Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran has put together consecutive seasons unlike anything we've ever seen before. CLICK HERE: 

SOLID STORY: Red Sox manager Alex Cora recently told Sirius XM about his first memory of Clayton Kershaw, who is set to retire at the end of this season. CLICK HERE: 

SOX LOSE TOBONI: Paul Toboni, the assistant general manager of the Red Sox, has left the organization to join the Washington Nationals. CLICK HERE: 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Remember to join our RED SOX on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other Red Sox fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!