Red Sox beat Cubs 4-3 in doubleheader opener, assure Wild Card Series matchup against Yankees

Boston Red Sox defeated Chicago Cubs 4-3 in a doubleheader opener on Friday, securing the No. 5 seed in the American League playoffs and ensuring a Wild Card Series matchup against the Yankees. Connor Wong's tiebreaking double in the seventh inning helped the Red Sox rally from a three-run deficit. The game, originally scheduled for Sunday, was moved up due to a forecasted weekend storm.

Roman Anthony contributed with two doubles and a triple, scoring three runs, while Tyrone Taylor and Miguel Amaya also drove in runs. Chicago's Alex Bregman was 0 for 4 with a strikeout in his first game since facial injuries suffered from a foul ball hit him in the on-deck circle in Cincinnati. Boston's bullpen, led by Greg Weissert and Raymond Burgos, didn't allow a hit after the sixth inning.

Starter Alec Gamboa pitched 1 1/3 innings for Chicago, while Aaron Civale gave up Anthony's triple and Wong's double in a three-pitch span. Mickey Gasper started at catcher for Boston but was replaced by Connor Wong in the sixth inning due to right biceps discomfort.