Red Sox top rival Yanks, to host Astros in ALCS

This balanced Boston squad, led by rookie manager Alex Cora, avoided the American League Division Series elimination that ruined the 2016 and ’17 seasons. The Sox fended off a dangerous Yankees team (100 wins during the regular season) — and a ninth-inning rally — with a 4-3 victory in Game 4 of the ALDS on Tuesday night.