To secure a playoff spot, it came down to the final inning of the last regular season game. But now Boston has a chance to exorcise some historical demons against the Yankees on Tuesday night.

1949, 1978, 2004 … there have been some epic games between two rivals trying to keep their seasons alive.

Rafael Devers’ home run in the 9th inning completes a Boston rally over Washington in the final game of the regular season.

Boston manages just four hits in a 6-2 defeat and drops into a tie with Seattle for the last AL playoff spot.

J.D. Martinez homers and drives in three runs for Boston, which moves a game behind the Yankees for the top AL wild-card spot.

A home run by Ryan Mountcastle helps Baltimore rally from a two-run deficit against ace Chris Sale (10-0 in his previous last 13 starts vs. Orioles) as Boston fails to improve its playoff position.

Whitlock, who is out with a right pectoral strain, made throws Tuesday and looked good, but still needs time before he’s able to return.

While the Yankees and Blue Jays play each other three times starting Tuesday, Boston begins a series against last-place Baltimore.

Aaron Judge doubles home the tying and go-ahead runs, and Giancarlo Stanton follows with another home run to cap a 6-3 win.

Stanton hit a go-ahead grand slam over the Green Monster in the eighth inning and the New York Yankees beat Boston 5-3 to tie the Red Sox for the top spot in the AL wild-card race.