Red Sox clinch postseason spot behind Rafael Devers’ late heroics

The task was very simple for the Red Sox going into Sunday’s final day of the regular season: Finish off a sweep of the last-place Nationals, and host the American League Wild Card game.

But there’s no such thing as simple for these 2021 Red Sox. They always have to get things done the hard way.

It was a day Alex Cora described as special, with playoff destiny in the Red Sox’ hands amidst a sea of potential chaos. It turned out to be stressful with a special ending.

In a season full of huge hits, Rafael Devers delivered the biggest one of his young career, a monster, tie-breaking two-run home run in the ninth inning as the Red Sox overcame an early deficit and some more stressful moments to survive with a 7-5 victory over the Nats.

After all that — a series loss to the Orioles that put their playoff hopes on edge, and more drama this weekend in Washington, D.C. — the Red Sox avoided chaos, and will host the Yankees on Tuesday night — with Nathan Eovaldi facing Gerrit Cole — in what could be an epic Wild Card game at Fenway Park, with the winner advancing to the Division Series against the Rays.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3mkjzmW