What Bostonians need to know this week

Hello, Boston. Welcome to the first full week of October. Playoff baseball lies ahead.

What you missed over the weekend:

Red Sox clinch AL East:

For the first time in franchise history, the Red Sox have finished atop the AL East standings in back-to-back seasons. Boston clinched the division with a 6-3 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday. The two teams will meet again soon (more on this below).

Patriots fall to 2-2: The Patriots lost for the second time at home this season Sunday, as Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano hit a 48-year field goal as time expired for the 33-30 win. Here are Chad Finn’s thoughts and Dave D’Onofrio’s takeaways from the game. Plus a look at five pivotal plays.

North Shore flooding: Strong rains Saturday morning led to flash flooding in towns like Lynn, Winthrop, and Chelsea. Photos and videos on social media showed more than a few submerged vehicles along the North Shore.

Donald Trump: The president defended his administration’s commitment to Puerto Rico over the weekend, blaming criticism on “Fake News” and “politically motivated ingrates” in a tweet Sunday. After Trump knocked San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz for “poor leadership” Saturday, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh tweeted that the city “stands with” Cruz, who is a graduate of Boston University.

North Korea: On Sunday, Trump also weighed in on North Korea, tweeting he told Secretary of State Rex Tillerson that “he is wasting his time trying to negotiate with Little Rocket Man.”

More “Trump”: Saturday Night Live returned this weekend, and it picked up where it left off, with Alec Baldwin impersonating the president.

O.J. freed: After serving nine years for an armed robbery, O.J. Simpson left a Nevada prison Sunday, avoiding press in the early morning hours.

Polar Seltzer: They may not have bizarre names like Unicorn Kisses and Dragon Whispers, but the Worcester beverage company’s new limited-edition winter flavors are sure to bring Polar fanatics to supermarkets in droves. 

What to know this week:

Playoff baseball:

The Red Sox-Astros series gets underway at 4 p.m. Thursday in Houston, with Chris Sale set to take the mound for Boston. Game 2 in Houston is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, with Game 3 in Boston Sunday (time TBD). All three games are on FS1 and MLB Network.

They’re back: The Bruins open the season at home against the Western Conference champion Nashville Predators at 7 p.m. Thursday. The Celtics begin preseason play at home Monday against the Charlotte Hornets, before two consecutive games against the Philadelphia 76ers this Friday and the following Monday.

On a related note: The Boston Globe is launching a daily sports podcast. And the first episode is Monday!

The millennials are coming: The Forbes Under 30 Summit returns to Boston with activities across the city Sunday through Wednesday. Check out the wide-ranging festival’s slate of events and speakers here.

Maria aftermath: Boston schools are preparing resources to help an expected influx of Puerto Rican families into the city as early as this week, after their island was devastated by Hurricane Maria.

What’s happening in Boston:

Mansion party: 

The historic Crane Estate in Ipswich is hosting a 21+ Harvest Moon party Thursday, which honestly sounds very cool.

Holy cannoli: Downtown Leominster is hosting their second annual Cannoli Festival on Thursday evening. Please report back if anyone samples a cannolo that matches up with any from Mike’s Pastry.

Food fight: In the most very basic of competitions, District Hall is hosting Boston’s third annual Brunch Battle at noon Saturday. The $25 ticket for the fundraiser includes samples from an array of local brunch purveyors and access to a full cash bar.

A Cambridge classic: The 12th annual HONK! Parade and 39th Harvard Square Oktoberfest taking place back-to-back is set to make for quite a jubilant Saturday in Cambridge

Other Oktoberfests: A number of Boston-area breweries have already held their respective Oktoberfests, but if you missed them, don’t worry: There are many more across New England, including several in New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont this Saturday.

The sign of a healthy marriage: For those looking for a more unique New England day trip, the 18th Annual North American Wife Carrying Championship takes place this Saturday at Sunday River in Maine. It’s exactly what it sounds like.

This week’s Red Sox schedule:

Thursday, Oct. 5: ALDS Game 1, 4 p.m. at the Houston Astros on FS1 and MLB Network

Friday, Oct. 6: ALDS Game 2, 2 p.m. at the Houston Astros on FS1 and MLB Network

Sunday, Oct. 8: ALDS Game 3, TBD versus the Houston Astros on FS1 and MLB Network

This week’s Bruins schedule:

Thursday, Oct. 5: 7 p.m. versus the Nashville Predators on NESN