The Boston Red Sox have fired manager John Farrell after the team's second straight loss in the American League Division Series.
The Red Sox announced the move Wednesday, less than 48 hours after they eliminated from the playoffs with a 5-4 loss to the Houston Astros.
Farrell's contract had been scheduled to run through the 2018 season.
Boston had guided the Sox to back-to-back American League East titles for the first time in franchise history, despite losing the bat of slugger David Ortiz, who retired at the end of last season.
Pitching was a challenge all year. The Sox began the season with $217 million pitcher David Price on the disabled list, and 2016 Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello stumbled to an 11-17 record.
Farrell managed the team to its eighth World Series title in 2013, his first season. But he found himself under a harsh spotlight each of the last two seasons, after exits in the division series of the postseason.
