Boston Red Sox clinch AL East crown, go worst to 1st again

Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) watches his sixth-inning flyout to deep center field in a baseball game against the New York Yankees, in New York, Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016. New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez, left, watches along with Ortiz. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

NEW YORK—The Boston Red Sox have won the AL East, clinching the division championship when the Toronto Blue Jays lost to Baltimore.

David Ortiz and the Red Sox, who had already secured at least a wild-card spot in the playoffs, will open their postseason schedule Oct. 6 seeking a second World Series crown in four years. The team’s first opponent has not been determined yet.

Boston’s game against the New York Yankees in the middle of the ninth inning Wednesday night when the Orioles finished off their 3-2 victory at second-place Toronto. The Red Sox began the night needing a win or a Toronto loss to wrap up their eighth AL East title.

The same scenario was in play Tuesday, but the Red Sox lost 6-4 in New York and the Blue Jays beat Baltimore 5-1. That put Boston’s bubbly party on hold—for just one night, it turned out.

Now, with Ortiz nearing retirement after the season, the Red Sox get to celebrate in the Bronx—the site of so much Boston heartache throughout its storied rivalry with the Yankees.

Of course, there was one glorious moment across the street, when Big Papi and his 2004 teammates overcame a 3-0 deficit to win the AL Championship Series at the old Yankee Stadium. Boston rejoiced and went on that year to capture its first World Series crown since 1918.

But this title will taste sweet as well, especially after the Red Sox completed a worst-to-first turnaround for the second time in five seasons. After winning the 2013 World Series, Boston finished last twice in a row.

This year has become much more than a farewell tour for Ortiz, though. The 40-year-old franchise icon is enjoying one of his biggest seasons at the plate, joined by steady veterans like Dustin Pedroia and Hanley Ramirez mixed with blossoming young stars Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley Jr.

“This is a pretty dynamic team in terms of homegrown players at various stages of their career that are coming together to be a very successful team,” manager John Farrell said.

Rick Porcello (22 wins) and free-agent prize David Price have solidified the front end of a suspect rotation, with new closer Craig Kimbrel anchoring the bullpen.

Boston took control of a wide-open AL East with an 11-game winning streak—all against division foes—that ended with Tuesday’s defeat.

“Above and beyond all, this is a team that cares for one another. And I don’t say that loosely,” Farrell said. “They’re tough, they’re focused, they’re talented, but, like I said, above all, they care for one another in an extraordinary way.”

Farrell, who took over as manager before the 2013 season, enjoyed a personal triumph with this division title as well: He missed the final 1 1/2 months of last season after he was diagnosed with stage 1 lymphoma.

“It’s been a journey that makes you relish the good times a little bit more. They’re more meaningful,” Farrell said. “There’s so much to be fortunate or thankful for. … Clearly, this puts you in a position to reflect on things differently.”

The only other time Boston clinched the AL East title away from Fenway Park was at Cleveland in 1988.

Now, the Red Sox hope to reach the World Series again—and set up a potential dream matchup against the Chicago Cubs and former Boston general manager Theo Epstein.