The Boston Red Sox failed to clinch a playoff spot against the Toronto Blue Jays on September 26, but their magic number remains at one. The Sox either need to beat the Detroit Tigers once in one of their final three games, or the Houston Astros must drop one game to the Los Angeles Angels in the final weekend to secure a Wild Card spot.
Luckily, the Red Sox will have a chance to clinch their first playoff spot in four years in front of a raucous Fenway Park crowd. But for those that can't make it to Fenway, the game won't be broadcast on NESN.
The September 26 Tigers at Red Sox game will be aired on Apple TV as part of its Friday Night Baseball series. Sox fans will still be able to hear the game on the radio, and NESN will have a pregame and postgame show for analysis and (hopefully) a celebration.
How to watch Red Sox vs. Tigers opener on Apple TV+ with playoff clinch on horizon
Reminder: tonight’s game was chosen by Apple TV as part of its MLB Friday Night Baseball package.
— Tom Caron (@TomCaron) September 26, 2025
NESN will do a pre-game show at 6, and a post-game show after it ends. If there’s a celebration, we’ll have it for you.
Here are all the details for Friday night's game and how Sox fans can tune in to the opener of their biggest series of the season (and maybe of the last few years):
- Date: September 26, 2025
- Game Time: 7:10 PM EST
- Location: Boston
- Stadium: Fenway Park
- Local TV Channel: Not Available
- National TV Channel: Apple TV+
- Live Stream: Apple TV+
Apple is currently offering a one-week free trial of Apple TV+. Red Sox fans can watch the game for free if they subscribe to the trial and cancel before the first charge sets in. Apple TV+ doesn't have the broadcast for any postseason games, so fans wouldn't be missing out on any action by subscribing for just the free trial period.
The Red Sox have the back half of their rotation slated to start against a Tigers team that swept them in their first series of the year nearly four months ago. Detroit has posted a brutal second half of the season, though, and it's 10-20 in its last 30 games.
Casey Mize (3.91 ERA, 131 strikeouts, 36 walks, 142.2 innings pitched) will start against Boston and Kyle Harrison will get the nod for the Red Sox. Harrison has made two appearances for Boston, his most recent one an excellent start. The 24-year-old surrendered one run on four hits with five strikeouts and two walks over six innings on September 20 against the Rays.
Despite the Apple TV broadcast, this game is a can't-miss event for Red Sox fans. Boston has been itching for the Sox to return to the playoffs, and likely had a home call in mind, but Fenway will be rocking no matter what.