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The Boston Red Sox are the hottest team in Major League Baseball. After sweeping the division-leading Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park, Boston has extended its scorching winning streak to 13 consecutive games.
By winning 18 of their last 20, the Red Sox have completely flipped the script on their 2026 season. Just a few weeks ago, frustration was building as the team sat buried near the bottom of the standings. Today, Boston is one game ahead of the Seattle Mariners for the last AL Wild Card spot, proving that a midsummer spark can erase months of disappointment overnight.
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Jul 19, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Caleb Durbin (5) and Boston Red Sox first baseman Wilson Contreras (40) celebrate the victory against the Tampa Bay Rays after the ninth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
A Complete Turnaround
To understand how remarkable this turnaround is, look at where Boston stood in late June. After dropping a series to the Colorado Rockies, the Red Sox hit rock bottom with a dismal 32-46 record, 14 games under .500. They were among the worst teams in baseball and looked like obvious sellers ahead of the MLB trade deadline.
Read More: MLB Trades We’d Love to See This Month, including Sonny Gray
Trade rumors swirled around veteran assets like starting pitcher Sonny Gray and Aroldis Chapman. But instead of folding, the clubhouse caught fire. Boston swept a four-game series against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park, sparking an 18-2 run that saved their season.
Now sitting at 50-48, the Red Sox are above .500 for the first time since March 26 when they were 1-0. The Red Sox occupy the American League’s third Wild Card spot and have slashed their division deficit to just six games behind the AL-east leading Rays.
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Jul 19, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Wilson Contreras (40) hits a two run home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fifth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Chasing Franchise History
This 13-game surge is more than just a hot streak, it is approaching historic territory. Dating back to July 3, this stretch ties the 1948 squad for the second-longest winning streak in Red Sox history. Boston is now just two wins away from tying the all-time franchise record of 15 consecutive victories, which was set back in 1946. Both these squads had Red Sox and MLB legend Ted Williams.
While not Ted Williams, 2026 Willson Contreras has been leading the offense through this resurgence. Having a career-best year, Contreras leads the club in virtually every hitting category, boasting a 155 wRC+ and 22 home runs. As a result, Contreras was selected to his fourth all star game and his first home run derby. On the mound, veterans like the previously mentioned Sonny Gray and second-year southpaw Payton Tolle have stabilized the rotation.
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Jul 19, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Andruw Monasterio (32) throws out Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Yandy Diaz (2) (not pictured) after fielding a ground ball during the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
What Comes Next?
This historic streak has completely altered Boston’s deadline strategy. The front office can no longer justify a complete midseason fire sale. By jumping squarely into the postseason picture, management is now under immense pressure to buy rather than sell.
The Red Sox now face a massive test at Fenway Park against the Baltimore Orioles, who are riding a seven-game win streak of their own. If Boston can maintain its momentum against a streaking division rival, they won’t just break a franchise record. They will prove to the the rest of baseball that they are a legitimate October threat.
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