Boston Red Sox 15-game winning streak finally comes to an end, just short of setting franchise record
Over the past few weeks, the Boston Red Sox have been one of Major League Baseball’s biggest disappointments.
Despite their big salary and roster full of stars and exciting young prospects, injuries decimated the team’s depth during the first half of the season. Entering July, the Red Sox were dead last in the American League East at 37-48. They had the third-worst record in the AL overall, were 14 games out of first place and looked like they might be sellers at the trade deadline. As recently as June 21, they had an 8.4% chance of reaching the postseason, according to FanGraphs.
Then, history.
RED SOX BACK FROM THE DEAD, ENTER CONTINUATION AFTER AN AMAZING 14-GAME CONTINUATION.
Boston Red Sox’s Wilyer Abreu celebrates after his RBI double in the third inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles Monday, July 20, 2026, in Boston. (Charles Krupa/AP)
Even without key players such as Garrett Crochet, Trevor Story and Roman Anthony, the Red Sox went into a doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday with a 14-game winning streak. Sure enough, they jumped out to a four-run lead that they never gave up, and the game ended in a tie thanks to shortstop Tsung-Che Chung’s save.
That 15-game winning streak tied the franchise record set 80 years ago, and was the eighth win of 15 or more since 1961. And for the first time since the St. Louis in 2021.
“You keep piling one win on top of another, and you get closer, and once you get within three or four, they start to feel like the playoffs because you want to get there,” pitcher Caleb Durbin said this week, per MLB.com. “But yeah, and you look back, and you think about where you’re doing it and how long this franchise has been around. It’s really amazing.”
RED SOX HAD A DAY NIGHT WALK FOR YEARS, YET STILL FOUND A WAY TO BEAT THE NEW YORK METS
Eduardo Rivera first baseman Eduardo Rivera sits on the field after being ejected in the first inning during the second game of baseball’s doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles, Wednesday, July 22, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Wednesday night’s game provided the perfect opportunity to set a new franchise record with 16 in a row. I’m still at Fenway Park and facing a struggling Orioles team. But the Orioles turned the tables, scoring four runs of their own in the top of the first. Jonathan Rodriguez’s double to the Green Monster helped force Eduardo Rivera out of the game in the first inning.
The Red Sox couldn’t get anything going offensively though, falling 5-1 and coming up short of more history.
Still, what an amazing achievement. Not only did it turn their season around but it also boosted the American League East and postseason races. They went from burial and seemed to be out of the picture before July so as not to lose a game from July 1 to July 22.
Before the loss in the night game, Boston’s postseason chances had increased to 67% due to taking the third AL wild card spot. Surprisingly, after winning the day game, they moved into the top six in the AL East. Even though the Rays are winning and losing to Boston, they made it seven going into Thursday.
From sellers to… buyers?
Crochet hopes to return for the playoffs, but even if Ranger Suárez returns soon, Boston would like to get more starts. Roman Anthony hasn’t started swinging after tearing a tendon in his finger, and Trevor Story is still out, meaning Boston could use an offense.
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All of that begs the question, how did they manage so many wins and losses? A combination of timely hitting, quality coverage and, of course, luck. Boston has the best team ERA in baseball in July, and an .877 OPS with runners in scoring position during the same period. That will work.
Boston Red Sox fans cheer after Ceddanne Rafaela’s RBI double during the seventh inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles Monday, July 20, 2026, in Boston. (Charles Krupa/AP)
15 games in a row is amazing, especially with those injuries. And Red Sox fans can now dream of bringing Anthony, Story and Suarez back to the playoffs. With Crochet coming when they get there. Not too bad, considering where they come in July.
