Streaking Red Sox Are For Real As Astros Sweep Extends Run Vs. Contenders

The Boston Red Sox are for real. Seriously. That 10-game winning streak before the All-Star break might have felt like a fluke. But the way Alex Cora’s club has played following the break is giving Red Sox Nation reason to believe this could be the year Boston finds more postseason glory.

Consider the following: Of the first five series following the break for the Red Sox, four came against first-place teams.

Up first were the Cubs in Chicago, where the Red Sox went 1-2.

After that were the Phillies in Philadelphia, where Boston again went 1-2.

But when they returned home, the Red Sox took two of three against the National League West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers.

After a quick road trip to Minnesota, where Boston again took two of three, the Red Sox returned home to sweep the American League West-leading Houston Astros.

So the Red Sox faced four of the best teams in the majors following the All-Star break and held their own, going 7-5.

In addition, two trends have emerged.

First, Boston is taking advantage of Fenway Park. The Red Sox are third in the majors with 37 wins at home.

Second, Boston is taking care of business within its division. The Red Sox have the most wins (20) against American League East opponents.

Still not convinced? Consider the rest of the schedule for the Red Sox.

They have three series remaining with first-place teams: The Astros next week and the Toronto Blue Jays and Detroit Tigers at the end of September.

They also have three series remaining with last-place teams, including six games against the Baltimore Orioles and six games against the Athletics.

The rest of the Red Sox’s schedule is made up of clubs on the edge of playoff contention: the Kansas City Royals, San Diego Padres, Miami Marlins, Cleveland Guardians, Arizona Diamondbacks and Tamp Bay Rays. Oh, and Boston still has two more series with the New York Yankees.

Is it too early to start printing playoff tickets? Absolutely.

But after how the Red Sox have played over the last month, and with the games remaining on Boston’s schedule, the idea of October baseball at Fenway Park isn’t far-fetched.

FanGraphs gives the Red Sox, who have won five straight, a 76.6% chance of making the postseason.