The Boston Red Sox clinched the American League East title with a 6-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday.
Red Sox win American League East
The Red Sox can celebrate for the second consecutive night (don’t tell the D-Backs).
Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Celebrate Boston's division title with SB Nation's Red Sox community, Over the Monster.
Jon Lester allowed a run on five hits in seven innings a night after the Red Sox clinched a playoff spot. Lester's solid outing gave Boston its seventh AL East title, and first since 2007. The Red Sox won the World Series that year, earning a four-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies. Lester was the starting pitcher in the clincher.
One of the most important factors in the Red Sox earning a division title rather than a Wild Card berth is that they won't be subject to a play-in game. Boston is also three full games ahead of the Oakland Athletics for the top spot in the AL. Finishing with the league's best record would mean the Red Sox go up against the play-in game winner in the ALDS; it would also give them home field advantage through the World Series.
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