As the Boston Red Sox celebrated an improbable postseason berth at Tropicana Field, with champagne and beer flowing, left fielder Roman Anthony said, 'We pretty much stayed alive when nobody else thought we could.' The Red Sox were 32-46 and 15½ games back in the AL East race on June 24. They have since gone 52-25 and will be in the playoffs. The Red Sox are the fourth team to make the playoffs after being 14-or-more games under .500 in a season in the World Series era (since 1903).

Two of the three previous instances made the World Series, with the Boston Braves winning it in 1914. Interim manager Chad Tracy was in place for much of this year's turnaround. Since being appointed on April 26 following the dismissal of Alex Cora, the Red Sox have gone 74-55. 'It shows you that if you stick to it, good things can happen,' Tracy said. 'I couldn't be more proud of this group.'.