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'Stayin Alive' Red Sox cap turnaround, clinch playoff spot

As the Boston Red Sox celebrated an improbable postseason berth at Tropicana Field, with champagne and beer flowing all around, the clubhouse soundtrack seemed appropriate.

"Stayin' Alive.''

"I think that pretty much says it all,'' left fielder Roman Anthony said Sunday. "We pretty much stayed alive when nobody else thought we could. Now here we are.''

The Red Sox were 32-46 and 15 1/2 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 lost 5-1 to the Tampa Bay Rays in their series finale, so couldn't take care of things themselves. But about an hour after the game finished, the Houston Astros lost 4-2 to the Atlanta Braves, allowing the Red Sox to secure a wild-card spot.

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.

Red Sox commit to Chad Tracy, Craig Breslow through 2030

The Boston Red Sox, who are heading to the postseason following a remarkable run over the second half of the season, rewarded the two chief architects of that turnaround Tuesday.

Boston removed the interim tag and named Chad Tracy the 49th manager in team history, signing him to a three-year contract that will run through the 2029 season, with a club option for 2030. The Red Sox also announced that they have exercised the 2029 and 2030 options on chief baseball officer Craig Breslow.

The elevation of 41-year-old Tracy comes after the Red Sox secured a wild-card spot in the playoffs Sunday. Tracy took over in April after former manager Alex Cora was fired following a 10-17 start to the season.

Tracy has since guided the Red Sox to a 74-55 record, which included a 15-game win streak that tied the franchise record set in 1946. Boston's 27-3 (.900) record from July 3 through Aug. 7 was the best 30-game span in franchise history.

It's a remarkable turnaround for a team that was 32-46 and 15½ games back in the American League East race on June 24.

"Craig and Chad are two exceptionally talented leaders who have earned these opportunities in very different ways," Red Sox president Sam Kennedy said in a statement. "Over the last three years, we have watched Craig bring clarity, discipline, and conviction to the work of building our baseball operation. Chad was asked to step into a difficult situation with little notice, but the trust he immediately commanded at the major league level was earned through years of work across our organization.

"What this team has accomplished over the past several months has been historic. Results matter greatly in this business, but so do judgment, character, and the ability to bring out the best in others. Craig and Chad have demonstrated all of those qualities, and they have earned our confidence in leading us forward."