The Red Sox Are 4 Wins From The World Series. Here's What To Know

The Red Sox are back in the American League Championship Series, playing for an opportunity to get to the World Series for the first time since 2018.

The Sox have unexpectedly managed to keep their grip on the city at a time the Patriots are in full swing and the Celtics and Bruins seasons are heating up. Boston, coming off a last-place finish in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, was picked by most prognosticators to miss the playoffs this year.

Instead, led by returning manager Alex Cora, a potent offense and a surprisingly effective pitching staff, the Sox have proven to be a contender.

But they'll be underdogs again in their ALCS series against the powerhouse Houston Astros, just as they were in their one-game playoff against the Yankees and Division Series against Tampa Bay.

Boston was 2-5 against Houston this series, with Red Sox pitchers struggling to keep the potent Houston offense in check.

ALCS Schedule

All games can be heard on WEEI (93.7).

• Game 1: Fri., Oct. 15 at Houston, 8:07 p.m. (Fox)
• Game 2: Sat., Oct. 16 at Houston, TBD (Fox or FS1)
• Game 3: Mon., Oct. 18 at Boston, TBD (FS1)
• Game 4: Tues., Oct. 19 at Boston, TBD (FS1)

(if necessary)

• Game 5: Wed., Oct. 20 at Boston, TBD (FS1)
• Game 6: Fri., Oct. 22 at Houston, TBD (FS1)
• Game 7: Sat., Oct. 23 at Houston, TBD (Fox or FS1)

Tickets will go on sale Friday at 10 a.m.

This is Houston's fifth straight appearance in the ALCS, including a loss to Boston in 2018. That Red Sox team was managed by Cora, who the previous year won a championship as a bench coach with the Astros.

Both franchises were rocked by Houston's cheating scandal during that 2017 World Series title team. Cora was suspended from baseball for a season, missing the 2020 campaign.

Much like the 2013 World Series team, this year's edition of the Red Sox are looking to go worst-to-first. Whoever wins the ALCS will represent the American League in the World Series against either the Atlanta Braves or the winner of Thursday night's San Francisco Giants-Los Angeles Dodgers game. The Dodgers feature old pals Mookie Betts and David Price, key parts of the '18 championship.