Best Red Sox Playoff Games Ever: Top 20 Classics Every Boston Fan Should Know

The Red Sox are one of the most successful franchises in MLB history. Boston has won nine championships and seen several legends of the game come through the locker room.

In the early 1900s, Boston set the standard, but it experienced a long drought following the infamous Babe Ruth trade. The team returned to glory in the 2000s and 2010s, and it is now seeking a 10th title.

MORE: The complete history of Red Sox championships

Here’s a breakdown of some of the top playoff moments in Red Sox history, from massive home runs to classic pitching performances.

Best Red Sox playoff games ever: Walk-offs, comebacks and chaos

1912 World Series, Game 8 vs. New York Giants

Game 5 of the 1912 World Series saw Hugh Bedient outduel Christy Mathewson in a 2-1 Red Sox victory. Those pitchers then started Game 8, and Mathewson came up short again despite throwing more than nine innings.

Boston scored two runs in the bottom of the 10th, securing a 3-2 win in the deciding game.

1918 World Series, Game 6 vs. Chicago Cubs

Before 1918 became a painful reminder of the “Curse of the Bambino,” it was another year that ended with a Boston celebration. Game 6 saw Carl Mays go the distance, allowing just one run against Chicago.

1967 World Series, Game 2 vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Jim Lonborg started three games for the Red Sox, winning two but struggling in the deciding Game 7 against Bob Gibson. However, his Game 2 performance was a gem, as he threw a one-hitter with four strikeouts and only one walk.

1975 World Series, Game 6 vs. Cincinnati Reds

“If it stays fair…”

One of the most iconic calls in MLB history came in Game 6 of the 1975 World Series when Carlton Fisk hit a walk-off home run in the 12th inning. Though the Red Sox lost in Game 7, Fisk waving his arms to make sure the ball went fair is an unforgettable moment.

2004 ALCS, Game 4 vs. New York Yankees

After falling into a 3-0 hole against the Yankees, the Red Sox were down heading into the bottom of the ninth. Dave Roberts’ steal and David Ortiz’s walk-off homer initiated the unprecedented comeback.

2004 ALCS, Game 5 vs. New York Yankees

Ortiz was the hero once again in Game 5, leading the Red Sox with three hits and three RBIs. His game-winning single in the bottom of the 14th kept Boston’s comeback dream alive.

MORE: The most famous numbers in Red Sox history

2007 ALCS, Game 6 vs. Cleveland Indians

Down 3-2 in the 2007 ALCS, the Red Sox worked their magic against the Indians. J.D. Drew had five RBIs, including a grand slam in the first inning. Curt Schilling went seven innings and struck out five to earn his second win of the series.

2007 World Series, Game 1 vs. Colorado Rockies

The Rockies never stood a chance in the 2007 World Series, starting with a Red Sox blowout in Game 1.

Josh Beckett struck out nine batters in seven innings, and Dustin Pedroia led off the World Series with a home run. Boston scored 13 runs in Game 1, setting the stage for an eventual sweep.

2013 ALCS, Game 2 vs. Detroit Tigers

Down 5-1 in the bottom of the eighth, Ortiz hit a grand slam to tie the game. Torii Hunter tried to catch the ball at the wall, but he flipped into the bullpen. At the same time, police officer Steve Horgan raised his arms to celebrate, creating a spectacular image.

The Red Sox won in the ninth after a walk-off single from Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

2013 ALCS, Game 6 vs. Detroit Tigers

Shane Victorino was the hero in the series-clinching game against the Tigers.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Victorino crushed a grand slam, giving the Red Sox a 5-2 lead. Koji Uehara earned his third save of the series and won the ALCS MVP award.

2013 World Series, Game 6 vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Just like in 2004, the Red Sox faced the Cardinals in the World Series. The result was the same. Ortiz, the World Series MVP, drew four walks, and Victorino had four RBIs in a 6-1 win.

Best Red Sox playoff games ever: Road wins that broke opponents (and curses)

1967 World Series, Game 5 vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Lonborg continued his dominant run in the World Series, winning Game 5 to keep Boston alive against St. Louis. Lonborg outdueled Steve Carlton, pitching nine innings and allowing just three hits.

1986 ALCS, Game 5 vs. California Angels

Facing elimination, the Red Sox were down to their last strike before Dave Henderson hit a dramatic two-run homer in the ninth. Boston eventually won the game in the 11th to turn the series around, dominating the last two games to head to the World Series.

1999 ALDS, Game 5 vs. Cleveland Indians

The winner-take-all Game 5 between Boston and Cleveland was one to remember, thanks to the efforts of Pedro Martinez.

Martinez entered the game in the fourth inning and carried the Red Sox through the finish line. He threw six hitless innings, striking out eight batters.

2004 ALCS, Game 6 vs. New York Yankees

It’s known as the “Bloody Sock Game.” Schilling pitched with a significant ankle injury and blood visibly showing on his sock. He lasted seven innings, gave up one run and struck out four batters.

2004 ALCS, Game 7 vs. New York Yankees

After Schilling’s brilliant outing in Game 6, the Red Sox’s offense took over in Game 7 of the ALCS against a collapsing Yankees team.

Boston jumped on the board early, and a Johnny Damon grand slam silenced New Yorkers everywhere. Derek Lowe pitched well, and the Red Sox completed the ultimate comeback.

MORE: Every Red Sox player inducted into Hall of Fame

2004 World Series, Game 4 vs. St. Louis Cardinals

An 86-year curse was broken in St. Louis when the Red Sox swept the Cardinals to win the 2004 World Series.

Damon hit a home run in the first at-bat of the game to set the tone. Lowe pitched seven scoreless innings, and Keith Foulke came out of the bullpen for the save.

2007 ALCS, Game 5 vs. Cleveland Indians

On the brink of elimination, Boston relied on Beckett to keep its title hopes alive against Cleveland. Beckett pitched eight dominant innings, striking out 11 batters. He went on to win the ALCS MVP award.

2018 World Series, Game 4 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Though they lost an epic 18-inning Game 3 against the Dodgers, the Red Sox secured their most recent World Series trophy with back-to-back victories in Games 4 and 5. Steve Pearce had four RBIs in Game 4 to power Boston to a 9-6 win.

2018 World Series, Game 5 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Game 5 saw Pearce add three RBIs to his total, resulting in him being named World Series MVP. David Price won his third game of the World Series, striking out five in seven innings. Chris Sale closed out the series with a scoreless ninth inning.