{"id":16103,"date":"2025-09-26T20:35:06","date_gmt":"2025-09-27T03:35:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/?p=16103"},"modified":"2025-09-26T20:35:06","modified_gmt":"2025-09-27T03:35:06","slug":"boston-red-sox-clinch-playoff-berth-for-first-time-since-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2025\/09\/26\/boston-red-sox-clinch-playoff-berth-for-first-time-since-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Boston Red Sox Clinch Playoff Berth for First Time Since 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"

Courtesy of their 12th\u00a0walk-off of the season versus the Detroit Tigers<\/a>, the Boston Red Sox<\/a> clinch a playoff berth for the first time since 2021. In a real topsy-turvy season, the Red Sox have fulfilled the potential many expected of them before the season. Despite trading away Rafael Devers<\/a><\/strong>, the best hitter the Red Sox have had in years. Here\u2019s how they did it.<\/p>\n

Story\u2019s Resurgence<\/h3>\n

Trevor Story<\/a><\/strong> has possibly been the best piece of the Boston Red Sox offense throughout the entire year. The former Colorado Rockies standout has struggled immensely during his tenure in Boston. Despite this, Story has led the Red Sox in batting average, home runs, and RBI.<\/p>\n

Starting Rotation Breakouts<\/h3>\n

Trading for Garrett Crochet<\/a><\/strong> was seen as a near-unanimous win in last year\u2019s offseason. Luckily for the Red Sox, that trade has been exactly what the Red Sox have needed for years. Specifically, ever since Chris Sale<\/a><\/strong> began experiencing injury problems.<\/p>\n

Leading the majors in innings pitched and strikeouts, Crochet has really taken a big step toward becoming a premier pitcher. That being said, he\u2019s not the only one taking steps in the right direction.<\/p>\n

A 4.24 ERA was the previous high for Brayan Bello<\/a><\/strong> before this year. This season, Bello set career highs with a 3.35 ERA and a 1.236 WHIP.<\/p>\n

Despite recent struggles, Lucas Giolito<\/a><\/strong> put together a resurgent season of his own. A 3.41 ERA matches his career high from 2019, a season where he placed sixth in the AL Cy Young voting. This was also by far his best season since getting traded from the Chicago White Sox<\/a> in the middle of 2023.<\/p>\n

Cuban Missile<\/h3>\n

In a late-career resurgence that can only be compared to Barry Bonds<\/a><\/strong>, Aroldis Chapman<\/a><\/strong> has put up arguably his best season ever. In a career with three sub-2.00 ERA seasons, none compares to the 1.19 ERA and 0.696 WHIP. Both are career bests in his 16-year career.<\/p>\n

Somehow, it was possible because of PitchCom, according to Buster Olney, via an Instagram post by @pitchingninja<\/a>. According to Olney, Chapman wasn’t used to getting specific instructions on where to throw pitches. Instead, Chapman would throw his fastball in the vicinity of the plate.<\/p>\n

How the Red Sox Win the World Series<\/h2>\n

Deep Starter Outings<\/h3>\n

As good as Chapman and Garrett Whitlock<\/a><\/strong> are, the rest of the bullpen is a ragtag group of guys. Ideally, Crochet, Bello, Giolito, and company are going to have to go deep into games so that the Red Sox won\u2019t have to utilize too many pieces from the bullpen. If the Red Sox have to use guys outside of Chapman, Whitlock, Justin Wilson<\/a>,<\/strong> and Justin Slaten<\/strong><\/a>, be prepared for a rough time.<\/p>\n

Offensive Hot Streaks<\/h3>\n

With Roman Anthony<\/a><\/strong> out until most likely the ALDS, the Red Sox offense will have to step up and make sure they aren\u2019t scoring only one run a game this postseason. Anthony, when in the lineup, has really helped make the Red Sox lineup operate at a relatively high rate. The Red Sox have scored nearly one run per game more with him in the lineup than without him.<\/p>\n

Looking Ahead<\/h3>\n

The Red Sox can potentially face AL East rivals in the New York Yankees<\/a> or Toronto Blue Jays<\/a>. However, they could also face the Cleveland Guardians<\/a>\u00a0or have a second consecutive series matchup with the Tigers. It all depends on how these last few games go. Regardless, they are dancing in October.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Main Photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>