The Boston Red Sox are headed back to the American League playoffs, and they have the Houston Astros to thank for the achievement. The Red Sox lost 2 of 3 games over the weekend to the Tampa Bay Rays, but the Astros were swept by the Atlanta Braves. That allowed the Red Sox to clinch their spot in the American League playoffs for the second consecutive season.

The Rays defeated the Red Sox 5-1 in the finale of the 3-game series at Tropicana Field, while the Astros dropped a 4-2 decision to the Braves.

The Red Sox have been inside the American League playoff structure since turning their season around with a 32-5 hot streak in late June and July. While they have been a .500 team since then, they are likely to finish in the No. 2 Wild Card position. That would set up a Wild Card round meeting with the New York Yankees (89-65), who are holding down the No. 1 Wild Card spot. The best of 3 series will be played at Yankee Stadium.

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The Red Sox own an 84-72 record and they have 6 regular-season games remaining. The Astros are 77-79 and they are not in a position where they could catch the Red Sox. However, the Astros are just one game behind the Texas Rangers (78-78) as the two teams fight for the West Division title.

The Rays (95-60) are close to clinching the best record in the American League. They have held the top spot in the AL since midseason and neither the Yankees nor the Red Sox have been able to threaten them.