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NEW YORK -- The Boston Red Sox won the AL East, clinching the division championship despite wasting a three-run, ninth-inning lead in a 5-3 loss to the New York Yankees on Wednesday night.David Ortiz and the Red Sox, who last weekend secured at least a wild-card spot in the playoffs, were assured of the division title earlier in the ninth inning when the Baltimore Orioles rallied for a 3-2 win at Toronto. But New York came back against Craig Kimbrel and Joe Kelly.After winning their eighth division title, the Red Sox will open their postseason schedule Oct. 6 seeking a second World Series crown in four years. The teams first opponent has not been determined yet.With Ortiz nearing retirement after the season, the Red Sox got to celebrate in the Bronx -- the site of so much Boston heartache throughout its storied rivalry with the Yankees.Of course, there was one glorious moment across the street, when Big Papi and his 2004 teammates overcame a 3-0 deficit to win the AL Championship Series at the old Yankee Stadium. Boston rejoiced and went on that year to capture its first World Series crown since 1918.But this title will taste sweet as well, especially after the Red Sox completed a worst-to-first turnaround for the second time in five seasons. After winning the 2013 World Series, Boston finished last twice in a row.This year has become much more than a farewell tour for Ortiz, though. The 40-year-old franchise icon is enjoying one of his biggest seasons at the plate, joined by steady veterans like Dustin Pedroia and Hanley Ramirez mixed with blossoming young stars Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley Jr.This is a pretty dynamic team in terms of homegrown players at various stages of their career that are coming together to be a very successful team, manager John Farrell said.Rick Porcello (22 wins) and free-agent prize David Price have solidified the front end of a suspect rotation, with new closer Craig Kimbrel anchoring the bullpen.Boston took control of a wide-open AL East with an 11-game winning streak -- all against division foes -- that ended with Tuesdays defeat.Above and beyond all, this is a team that cares for one another. And I dont say that loosely, Farrell said. Theyre tough, theyre focused, theyre talented, but, like I said, above all, they care for one another in an extraordinary way.Farrell, who took over as manager before the 2013 season, enjoyed a personal triumph with this division title as well: He missed the final 1 1/2 months of last season after he was diagnosed with stage 1 lymphoma.Its been a journey that makes you relish the good times a little bit more. Theyre more meaningful, Farrell said. Theres so much to be fortunate or thankful for. ... Clearly, this puts you in a position to reflect on things differently.The only other time Boston clinched the AL East title away from Fenway Park was at Cleveland in 1988.Now, the Red Sox hope to reach the World Series again -- and set up a potential dream matchup against the Chicago Cubs and former Boston general manager Theo Epstein.Jim Thome Indians Jersey . After a replay, the winner will meet Sunderland in the quarterfinals. Sagbo did well to control Sone Alukos right cross and fire past Brighton goalkeeper Peter Brezovan. Aluko was making his first start in four months after recovering from an Achilles injury. Danny Salazar Indians Jersey . Most important, perhaps, it went off without a hitch. Organizers poked a little fun at the now-infamous opening ceremony gaffe that saw only four out of five snowflakes open up into rings, leaving the Olympics logo one ring short. http://www.indianssale.com/indians-francisco-lindor-jersey/ . -- Peyton Manning will have all of his wide receivers available for the first time in a month when the Denver Broncos begin their playoff run Jan. Jose Ramirez Jersey . Pirlo limped out of Sundays 1-0 win over Udinese after just 13 minutes. Juventus says Pirlo underwent tests on Monday which revealed he has "a second-degree lesion to the collateral medial ligament in his right knee. Nick Wittgren Jersey . -- Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Farmar will be out for roughly four weeks after tearing his left hamstring.DETROIT -- When the Detroit Tigers spent millions last offseason to sign Jordan Zimmermann and Justin Upton, it appeared they extended their window of opportunity to challenge for a championship for another couple of years.One of those chances went by the wayside in 2016.The Tigers were eliminated from the AL wild-card race on the final day of the season, missing the playoffs for a second straight year. It was a bitter disappointment for a team that came into 2016 with a payroll around $200 million and a roster still built around Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander -- two stars who had very productive seasons but are now in their mid-30s.A lot of hard work for naught, Verlander said. You cant say a wasted year because we battled and we gave it everything we had. ... Still, all the hard work in the offseason, all the hard work during the season, and then it comes to an end on the last day. Its tough.Detroits 86-75 record was a 12-game improvement over 2015. The Tigers have not made any announcement about the future of manager Brad Ausmus, but general manager Al Avila can keep the roster largely intact if he wants to. Its not until after the 2017 season that Detroit could face substantial losses in free agency.Here are a few things to know heading into the offseason:YOUNG ARMSWhen the Tigers acquired Michael Fulmer, Daniel Norris and Matt Boyd last year in trades for Yoenis Cespedes and David Price, Detroit hoped those three could provide young, cost-controlled pitching in the seasons to come. The Tigers reaped the rewards of those deals even earlier than expected.Fulmer went 11-7 with a 3.06 ERA in 26 starts. Norris wasnt healthy enough to make that kind of impact, but he was 4-2 with a 3..dddddddddddd38 ERA and averaged more than a strikeout per inning. Boyd was 6-5 with a 4.53 ERA.Those three pitchers are perhaps the biggest reason Detroit was able to stay in the postseason race all the way until the end.WILL BRAD BE BACK?The Tigers are 250-234 in three seasons under Ausmus, and theyve finished first, last and now second in the AL Central on his watch. Ausmus did not want to speculate about whether hed be back next year.If Al thinks he would rather have someone else, I would respect his decision, Ausmus said. If Al would like me to do it, I would love to do it.FEAST OR FAMINEZimmermann and Upton, the two big free agents who joined the Tigers last offseason, went through their share of frustration. Zimmermann was 5-0 with a 0.55 ERA in April, but his season ended up being ruined by neck problems, and he finished with an ERA of 4.87.Upton hit 31 home runs, 18 after Aug. 20.COMING AND GOINGDetroit infielders Erick Aybar and Casey McGehee and catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia can become free agents, and the Tigers have team options for next season on outfielder Cameron Maybin and closer Francisco Rodriguez.Detroit can keep all its biggest stars for 2017, but after that, Upton and J.D. Martinez can become free agents.STAYING HEALTHYThe Tigers had their share of injury problems this year, but they had to be encouraged by Cabrera and Verlander, both of whom were able to stay healthy. Victor Martinez also was available to play in 154 games and hit 27 home runs after managing just 11 the previous season.---Follow Noah Trister at www.Twitter.com/noahtrister ' ' '