Red Sox winning streak becomes MLB's defining second-half story
The Boston Red Sox's extended run has emerged as one of Major League Baseball's marquee storylines since the All-Star break, drawing national attention and unexpected fan sympathy beyond New England. A recent Boston-Baltimore matchup captured the streak's drama, highlighted by Tyler O'Neil's ninth-inning line drive to left that was set to lift the Baltimore Orioles into a tie with the Red Sox. The Athletic framed the run as an enviable worst-to-first quest worth rooting for, citing the position Boston occupies in the eyes of fans across the sport.
Boston climbs the American League East
According to USA Today's power rankings, the streak had reached 13 games as of mid-July, fueling a surge up the American League East standings. The run spans 17 days, beginning before the All-Star break and carrying through the resumed second half of the regular season, and has prompted broader reflection on why clubs outside the playoff hunt might welcome a Boston run.
Trade deadline approaches amid unusual parity
The streak comes as the 2026 trade deadline approaches on Monday, August 3 at 6 p.m. ET, per USA Today. Yahoo reports that 23 of 30 teams are within four games of a playoff spot, leaving few clear sellers and producing an unusually compressed deadline market. USA Today identified five head-to-head series this week that could clarify buyer-seller intentions across the league before the deadline clock stops.
Deadline rumors swirl around Mets, Phillies, and Rays
The New York Mets have entered sell mode, though The Big Lead reports Francisco Lindor is unlikely to be moved before this deadline. Heavy.com links the Philadelphia Phillies to interest in Mets reliever Luke Weaver, while Roundtable reports the Tampa Bay Rays could pursue Padres closer Mason Miller as a potential bullpen upgrade ahead of a postseason push.
Sources
- https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7460297/2026/07/21/mlb-boston-red-sox-winning-streak-playoffs/ - https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2026/07/20/mlb-power-rankings-red-sox-streak-trade-deadline/90977295007/ - https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2026/07/20/2026-mlb-trade-deadline-date-time-rules/90974851007/ - https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/gabe-lacques/2026/07/20/mlb-schedule-trade-deadline-rumors-standings/90978648007/ - https://consent.yahoo.com/v2/collectConsent?sessionId=1_cc-session_c97f7296-17f9-4d17-b933-341b7f0bee67 - https://www.thebiglead.com/mets-plans-to-trade-francisco-lindor-have-become-more-clear/ - https://heavy.com/sports/mlb/philadelphia-phillies/phillies-rumored-to-love-the-idea-of-adding-mets-breakout-arm/ - https://roundtable.io/sports/mlb/rays/players/tampa-bay-rays-could-build-mlbs-best-bullpen-with-mason-miller - https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/mlb-news/226120/mlb-news-shohei-ohtani-aaron-judge-trade-deadline-ken-griffey-jr-red-sox-streak
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