The Boston Red Sox ripped off 13 straight wins, pushing their record to a wild 50-48 and landing them square in a playoff spot if the season ended today. That’s right, a team that looked dead in the water just a few weeks ago is now making serious noise, even sweeping the first-place Tampa Bay Rays in a four-game series.
Remembering That Wild Start?
It feels like a lifetime ago, but not even a month back, the Red Sox were sitting at a miserable 37-47 heading into July. Most fans and “experts” had them pegged as clear sellers at the upcoming trade deadline. They’d failed to live up to any of their early season hype, and everyone figured they’d be offloading players. But then something clicked. This team, which just secured a 6-1 victory over those Rays on Sunday, July 19, isn’t just winning games, they’re on a historic 13-game tear. Aroldis Chapman, Sonny Gray, and Willson Contreras, who were all on the trade block just weeks ago? They’re suddenly looking like foundational pieces for a playoff push. It’s an unbelievable turnaround.
What’s Next For These Buyers?
With the trade deadline now just two weeks away, the Red Sox aren’t just thinking playoffs, they’re thinking American League East title. To get there, they’ve got three clear areas they need to bolster: left-handed relief, middle infield, and power. For southpaw relievers, A.J. Minter, a 32-year-old on an expiring contract from the lowly New York Mets, looks like a perfect rental. His teammate, 38-year-old Brooks Raley, is another Mets option. Or they could go bigger, eyeing San Francisco Giants’ young guns Sam Hentges and Erik Miller, who are in their primes, boast solid ERAs, and are each striking out over 10 batters per nine innings.
In the middle infield, Zach Neto from the Angels is the top shortstop available, but Arte Moreno’s trade antics might make that a headache. Willy Adames from the Giants offers power but is having one of his worst seasons and is under a massive contract through 2031. Luis Arraez or CJ Abrams from the Washington Nationals could be better fits. This team needs to make some smart moves if they want to keep this train rolling.
The trade deadline is right around the corner. Can the Red Sox keep this incredible momentum going and make the right moves to truly contend for an AL East title? The entire league is watching now.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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