ALCS: When do the Red Sox play the Astros?

BOSTON — The Red Sox have eliminated their two biggest division rivals - the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays - from the playoffs thus far.

Now, the Sox will take on the Houston Astros, Alex Cora’s old team, in the American League Championship Series after the Astros took down the Chicago White Sox in the ALDS.

Game 1 of the ALCS is slated for Friday night on Boston 25.

Full ALCS schedule:

• Game 1: Friday, Oct. 15 at Chicago or Houston (Fox)
• Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 16 at Chicago or Houston (Fox or FS1)
• Game 3: Monday, Oct. 18 at Boston (FS1)
• Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 19 at Boston (FS1)
• Game 5: Wednesday, Oct. 20 at Boston (FS1)
• Game 6: Friday, Oct. 22 at Chicago or Houston (FS1)
• Game 7: Saturday, Oct. 23 at Chicago or Houston (Fox or FS1)

Boston businesses say they are getting a long-awaited shot in the arm between the fall Boston Marathon and now a Red Sox pennant race coming to the city.

Fenway is far from winding down. We talked to several businesses who all say they needed this boost and now they are working to find enough people to handle the October baseball crowd.

The Boston Red Sox are not the only ones cooking right now. October baseball is onto round two, with the ALCS coming to Boston.

“The atmosphere is just electric, you can not describe it. You have to be down here to really experience it,” said Robert Onessimo, who owns The Best Sausage Company on Jersey Street outside Fenway Park.

Chance Leary said the extra business at Bleacher Bar will be a boost this year.

“You can’t understand how huge this is for us. I mean everything that happened over the past couple of years, the re-opening process, even post-COVID has been grueling,” Leary said.

But businesses especially around Fenway are relieved the Red Sox are keeping the season going. Red Sox Team Store Manager Scott Sakled said fans were very enthusiastic after the big win.

“Red Sox fans are the best, bar none the best baseball fans in baseball, and they showed it last night,” Sakled said.

But with staffing shortages thrown into the mix, businesses are turning to whatever bullpen they can find to staff up for the playoffs.

“It’s been really really difficult, but we have been relying on friends and family to help us out. The owners, their family has stepped up and it’s been great. I think we are going to have more of that,” Sakled said.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW

©2021 Cox Media Group