After clinching the AL East title on Friday, Boston won again while the Cleveland Indians lost to the Kansas City Royals, ending the chase for the best record.
Given the choice of which best-of-five Division Series schedule they wanted in their series with the Los Angeles Angels, the Red Sox chose to open on Wednesday.
That will provide off days after Games 1, 2 and 4, thus allowing Boston to use Josh Beckett and Curt Schilling twice each in a best-of-five series.
The Indians will play the wild card New York Yankees in the other series, opening Thursday in Cleveland.
The Red Sox will finish with the best record in the Major Leagues. Whatever the outcome, they would have had the home field advantage in the World Series since the AL won the All-Star Game.
" I think it's always important," Red Sox right fielder J.D. Drew told reporters after hitting a three-run homer that provided the margin of victory on Saturday.
" We've got great fans here. Any time you're playing at home, it's a little more comfortable to be around your family. It's nice to have that home field advantage."
The maligned Drew has struggled through the first year of a five-year, $70 million contract but has become hot in September.
Reuters