The Boston Red Sox just ripped off nine straight wins after yesterday afternoon's victory in Queens, leaving Chief Baseball Operator Craig Breslow with a decision that he probably didn't think he'd face just three weeks ago. This isn't just a fluke; the Red Sox are 17-6 in their last 23 games and an absolutely wild 14-2 in their last 16. The season that was supposed to be a total teardown for Boston has taken a dramatic turn, and the standings are genuinely astounding right now.
What's Gotten Into Boston?
Seriously, what in the world happened to this team? After sweeping the Yankees, they had a quick hiccup, dropping two of three at home to the Nationals. Nobody's putting that series on a highlight reel, that's for sure. But then, Boston went right back out and swept the Angels, followed by sweeping the White Sox. And now, they've swept the Mets too. That's a serious run, showing a trajectory that has totally flipped everything upside down.Breslow's Nightmare Trade Deadline
The initial plan for the Red Sox was a full-on teardown, with Aroldis Chapman, Sonny Gray, and Willson Contreras all set to be headliners in a major sale. Contenders were supposed to be lining up for those guys. But now? With the team performing like this, Breslow has to figure out if he sticks to selling or pivots completely. If he's even lightly considering buying, those conversations flip immediately. You don't trade your best arm, your most consistent rotation piece, or your thumping first baseman when you're actually trying to contend. Instead, you keep them and find ways to add around them. What do they need? A middle infielder who can actually stay healthy, because this roster can't absorb another injury to a key spot. Another arm to soak up innings behind a rotation still missing Connelly Early and Garrett Crochet, with Patrick Sandoval only just debuting in Chicago. And don't forget bullpen reinforcement for when games really start to matter. Guys like Jeremy Peña from Houston, Matt Chapman from San Francisco, or Matt Shaw from the Cubs could be on the radar if Breslow goes shopping.A Look at Houston's Decline
Speaking of Peña, it's genuinely satisfying to see the Houston Astros looking confused in 2026. For most of this decade, they've been insufferable in the best possible way, winning divisions and World Series. But now, after three managers since the cheating scandal , AJ Hinch fired, Dusty Baker riding off after 2023, and now Joe Espada trying to keep the lights on , their core has aged out or moved on. Jose Altuve is failing in left field, George Springer is in Toronto, and Alex Bregman is a Cub. It makes July interesting for a team with absolutely no clear direction, which is a stark contrast to the Red Sox's sudden surge. So, the biggest question now is what Breslow does. Does he lean into this unexpected winning streak, or does he stick to the original plan? His decision in the coming weeks will tell us everything about the rest of Boston's season.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.