The Boston Red Sox just wrapped up July with a ridiculous 21-4 record, posting the franchise’s best-ever win percentage in a full calendar month at .840. This isn’t just a hot streak, it’s a full-blown declaration.
This Wasn’t Supposed To Happen
Just a month ago, these guys were stuck in the AL East basement, looking like classic trade deadline sellers. But after that insane July run, where they pulled off a franchise-record-tying 15-game win streak, everything flipped. They ended the month seven games over .500 at 58-51, only six games back of the division lead and just three games from the final wild-card spot. Interim manager Chad Tracy, who took over in April after Alex Cora got the axe, has clearly lit a fire under this squad, transforming them into a bona fide playoff contender.
Sealing the Month With Some Icy Veins
They capped off that incredible month with a 9-4 road victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night. Even when Shohei Ohtani blasted a two-run homer in the fifth to give L.A. the lead, the Red Sox didn’t flinch. They exploded for a five-spot in the seventh, taking back control and not letting go. All-Star center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela got that rally started with a two-run shot of his own, rounding the bases with his “ice in his veins” celebration. This 21-win July is their most wins in a single month since August 2004, the same year they broke the Curse of the Bambino and swept the Cardinals for their first World Series in 86 years. Talk about good vibes.
Bumps in the Road, But The Mission Continues
It hasn’t all been smooth sailing, though. They just picked up infielder Curtis Mead from the Nationals on July 25, only to have him fracture his wrist in his very first game. He’s probably out for most, if not all, of the remaining regular season. Then, during Saturday’s series opener against the Dodgers, four-time All-Star first baseman Willson Contreras got dinged by a 95-mph fastball to the helmet from L.A. righty Will Klein. He’s in concussion protocol, even if it was just precautionary. Still, they beat the Dodgers and are 4-1 on their current seven-game California road trip, already taking three of four from the Athletics. Tracy said it best, according to MLB.com: “Obviously the month of July was incredible and necessary with where we were at. We probably didn’t have to do that well, but it was necessary that we played better and got on a run and we got on a heck of a run. We have to continue that now because we’re playing very good baseball.”
The Red Sox are playing some serious baseball, and they have to keep that energy going as they finish up their road trip. With the wild-card spot now in clear sight, every game matters, and the rest of August is going to be a huge test for this revitalized team.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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