Here’s how the Red Sox can grab a playoff berth on Saturday

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Red Sox

They control their own fate after Friday’s matchlist.

The Red Sox could celebrate with more than just a handshake on Saturday. Mitchell Layton / Getty Images

The Red Sox’s playoff chances took a big step forward on Friday night.

A 4-2 win in Washington against the Nationals and the Mariners’ fall to the Angels 2-1 allows the Red Sox to clinch a playoff berth on Saturday.

Boston is now one game ahead of Seattle and Toronto, who beat Baltimore on Friday night, for second place in the American League wild card. If the Red Sox win on Saturday and the Mariners and Blue Jays lose, the Red Sox will have a playoff berth.

If the Red Sox only win one of their next two games, that will at least ensure they play in a playoff tie-breaker.

As well as having the Mariners one game behind them on Friday, they also brought a Yankees game closer to the wilds for first place. New York lost to Tampa Bay, 4-3, on Friday, moving the Red Sox to just one game from the Yankees.

If the Red Sox win on Saturday and the Yankees lose another game to the Rays, the Red Sox control their own destiny for the top wildcard because they own the tiebreaker against the Yankees. If the Red Sox and Yankees hold identical records after Sunday’s games and the Mariners and Blue Jays remain behind both teams, the Wild Card Game will be played at Fenway between the two rivals.

For Saturday’s game against the Nationals, the Red Sox will start Tanner Houck (1-5, 3.80 ERA). Saturday’s game marks Houck’s first start since Sept. 15, as he allowed three earned runs in a 4 1/3 innings pitched against the Mariners. Houck has not won a game as a starter this season.

As for the Nationals, they start rookie right-hander Josiah Gray (2-2, 5.85 ERA). Gray’s have won their last two starts, allowing five earned runs in 11 1/3 innings pitched against the Marlins and Rockies.

The Red Sox could have favorable pitching clashes in the other three games that could play a role in their playoff spell on Saturday. The Rays start rookie Shane Baz (2-0, 1.69 ERA) against the Yankees, who start Jordan Montgomery (6-6, 3.49 ERA). While Baz is only on his third career start, he has so far allowed just two earned runs in 10 2/3 innings. Montgomery pitched seven one-run innings against the Red Sox on Sunday.

In Toronto, the Blue Jays sign Alex Manoah (8-2, 3.35 ERA) against the Orioles, who will have John Means (6-8, 3.32 ERA) on the mound. Manoah has won his last three starts, allowing just four earned runs in 19 2/3 innings pitched. Means hasn’t played against the Blue Jays this season, but he’s been strong in road games, going 5-3 with a 2.27 ERA.

Finally, in Seattle, the Mariners will start Chris Flexen (14-6, 3.67 ERA) against the Angels, who will have Jhonathan Diaz on the bump (1-0, 3.12 ERA). Flexen’s have won their last three starts while Diaz is only on his third career start.



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