“Since Day 1, You Guys Believed”- Manager Alex Cora Lauds Boston Red Sox Players After Huge Win

The Tampa Bay Rays produced one of their finest seasons in the MLB this year. With 100 wins, they were the only team in the American League to achieve that feat. However, the ALDS belonged to the Boston Red Sox, who clinched the series 3-1 following a stunning victory over the Rays in Fenway Park yesterday.

Following their gritty 6-5 victory over the AL East champions, the Red Sox celebrated wildly in the locker room. Before these celebrations kicked off, manager Alex Cora shared encouraging words to his team.

The Boston Red Sox soak themselves in champagne following ALDS victory

After going scoreless in the first two innings, the Red Sox picked up the pace in the bottom of the third inning. Third baseman Rafael Devers smashed a huge three-run home run to give a 3-0 lead, before Alex Verdugo and J. D. Martinez added RBIs to give the Red Sox a comprehensive 5-0 lead.

Although the Rays fought back to tie the score by the end of the eighth inning, the Red Sox sealed the series in the final inning. Enrique “Kike” Hernandez drove an RBI in the clutch, sending the Red Sox to the ALCS for the first time since 2018.

In the locker room, Red Sox manager Alex Cora mentioned how their belief in themselves and each other got them to this point. He said, “To be in this position is a test on who you guys are. Not only as players, but as individuals. Since Day 1, you guys believed in this group. Not too many people believed outside this freakin’ clubhouse. But, here we are! ALCS, on to the next one. Let’s go!”

The Chicago White Sox or the Houston Astros will join them in the ALCS

The Astros currently lead the White Sox 2-1 in their best-of-five ALDS. Game 4 of this series will take place in the Guaranteed Rate Field later today, with the latter in a do-or-die situation once again.

Should the Astros win today, they will set up a repeat of the 2018 ALCS with the Red Sox. That year, Boston clinched the best-of-seven series 4-1 to advance to the World Series, which they won as well. Could this be the Red Sox’s year once again? Only time will tell.

READ MORE: Red Sox Manager Alex Cora Makes MLB History With This Record After Win Over Tampa Bay Rays