The Boston Red Sox finally punched their tickets to the postseason with a 4-3 walk-off over the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park. And this is an ultra-special win, because it is Boston’s first playoff appearance since 2021 and only their second in seven long years. But to reach there hasn’t been easy, of course.

And in fact, the game with the Tigers was no cakewalk. They had jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the fourth, but Boston tied the game in the eighth before that dramatic walk-off. Trevor Story was seen as the first one to greet Romy Gonzalez at home plate and led the celebration with Ceddanne Rafaela at third. You could almost feel the happiness vibrating off him.

It’s not like others were not vibing; it’s just that Story’s journey has not been simple. After he signed a six-year $140 million deal, big things were expected from him. But injuries ruined his three seasons. He played 94 games in 2022, 43 in 2023, and 26 last year. So, of course, the question of whether he lives up to the contract comes up. But this season, he has proved how—and now he is looking not for October games, but the bigger prize—the rings!

Trevor Story mentioned, “I signed here to be a good player, go to the postseason, win games, and win the World Series. We have a chance to do that.” That statement is emotional for sure, but it carries immense weight. This is more than a win; it is redemption and validation for him. And well, Cora’s faith in Story has paid off for sure—because after catching fire in April, Trevor Story has not stopped.

Story is finishing the season hitting .265 with 25 home runs, 96 RBIs, 31 stolen bases, and playing 155 games. And given that the roster has been leaning on rookies, Story has been a steady veteran—you can say he has been the heartbeat of the team. And Story’s playoff experience is also extremely less—he has been there just once with the Rockies back in 2017. There, he played just one wild card game.

Now, finally, he gets to play these games, and he is devouring every second of this. When asked, Story said, “So much. More than you could imagine. I know how special it is now.” His resurgence actually runs parallel to the Red Sox revival. But the question now is, what’s next?

What’s next for the Boston Red Sox? 

So, for now, playoff baseball is back! After all the ups and downs, injuries, and rebuilding years, the Boston Red Sox finally punched their ticket to October, ending their four-year playoff drought. So what’s next for the team? Well, over the weekend, Boston will finish the regular season games against the Detroit Tigers. Win one of those games, and the Red Sox lock in the second wild card seed. This means a best-of-three wild card series on the road starting Tuesday.

Division crown, or the No. 1 wild card seed, and all the perks that come with it, like a first-round bye or the home-field advantage, seem out of reach. But the postseason is still here, and that’s all that matters. In the American League now, the division leaders are the Toronto Blue Jays and Mariners, and they have both clinched the playoff spots. The Cleveland Guardians are out of contention. In the Wild Card race, the Yankees and Boston Red Sox have their berths, whereas the Tigers are on the outside looking in. The Astros remain in contention still.

Boston will face the Jays or the Yankees, whoever gets the top wild-card spot. And all games will be on the road. Fenway won’t be hosting the playoff baseball unless they advance to the divisional round. Well, after all the struggles and long drought without postseason glory, this is the moment. For now, fans can dream about the deep playoff magic and maybe a shot at the World Series.