Boston Red Sox outfielders Andrew Benintendi, from left, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Mookie Betts celebrate after a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles in Baltimore, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017. Boston won 9-0. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
The Associated Press
BALTIMORE (AP) - The Boston Red Sox are going back to the playoffs.
A few hours after beating the Baltimore Orioles 9-0 on Wednesday night, the Red Sox were assured their second consecutive trip to the postseason when the Los Angeles Angels lost 6-5 to the Cleveland Indians.
Those two results guaranteed Boston (88-64) at least an AL wild card. Of course, the Red Sox are looking for more than that. They lead the AL East by three games over the rival New York Yankees with 10 to play as Boston pursues its second straight division title and third in five years.
Boston joins AL Central champion Cleveland and AL West champion Houston in the American League playoffs, which begin next month. Two spots are still up for grabs.
After sweeping Baltimore, the Red Sox are off Thursday before opening an interleague series in Cincinnati on Friday night.
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Boston Red Sox's Andrew Benintendi, left, high-fives teammate Mookie Betts in front of Baltimore Orioles catcher Welington Castillo, back right, after scoring on Betts' two-run home run in the fourth inning of a baseball game in Baltimore, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
The Associated Press
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale throws to the Baltimore Orioles in the first inning of a baseball game in Baltimore, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
The Associated Press
Boston Red Sox's Mookie Betts follows through on a two-run home run in front of Baltimore Orioles catcher Welington Castillo and home plate umpire Todd Tichenor during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Baltimore, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
The Associated Press
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale throws to the Baltimore Orioles in the eighth inning of a baseball game in Baltimore, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017. Sale threw his 13th strikeout in the eighth to become the first AL pitcher in 18 years to reach the 300 mark. Boston won 9-0. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
The Associated Press