The 1988 American League Championship Series was a best-of-seven series that pitted the East Division champion Boston Red Sox against the West Division champion Oakland Athletics. It was the second meeting between the two in ALCS play. The Athletics swept the Series four games to none and would go on to lose to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1988 World Series.

Oakland won the series, 4–0.

Wednesday, October 5, 1988, at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts

In an interview conducted before Game 1, José Canseco denied reports in that day's Washington Post by baseball reporter Thomas Boswell that he had used steroids. Canseco was supported in this denial by former slugger Reggie Jackson.

The opening game in Fenway Park pitted Bruce Hurst against Oakland's newfound ace, Dave Stewart. The game was scoreless until the fourth when Canseco, coming off the first 40–40 season in major league history, drilled a solo homer to give the A's a 1-0 lead. It stayed that way until the seventh. In the bottom of the seventh, Jim Rice walked and gave way to pinch-runner Kevin Romine. Jody Reed reached when Stewart hit him with a pitch. A single by Rich Gedman loaded the bases with one out and Stewart gave way to reliever Rick Honeycutt. Honeycutt induced a line out to left field by Wade Boggs that plated Romine and tied the game at one. Marty Barrett grounded out and the game was tied after seven innings.

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