Late Drama as Red Sox beat Yankees 4-3 to reach ALCS

Mookie Betts with the Boston Red Sox in 2018. Photo by Chris Szagola/CSM/REX/Shutterstock (9790877k)

Boston Red Sox fans had to wait until late in the ninth inning on Wednesday morning to discover their team is advancing to the American League Champion Series which starts on Friday.

The Red Sox, which have the most successful teams in their history, was splendid as ever as they stunned the Yankees in New York to advance to the ACLS in late night drama. Rick Porcello got his first win in a playoff start as Christian Sale managed a home run for the first time since June 26. Chris Sale entered in game four and threw a perfect inning on 13 pitches to help the Red Sox beat the Yankees 4-3.

Next UP: The Astros

Boston will face the Houston Astros in a seven-game matchup starting this Saturday at Fenway Park. Coming off a confident win in which they led 4-1 into Tuesday’s game, the Red Sox look confident to cruise past the Astros.

For the first time in a long time, Boston’s pitchers managed 19 innings in a playoff series. The starters allowed only six earned runs. By contrast, their opponents, the Yankees, allowed 15 runs and completed 13 innings in the four games.

The Red Sox haven’t been to the ACLS since 2013, but they come in as the favorites.