Red Sox achieve 14-game winning streak

By Noah Lavoie — 22 July 2026 — 3 min read

Red Sox achieve 14-game winning streak

The Boston Red Sox recently secured their 14th consecutive victory, defeating the Baltimore Orioles 6-5 at Fenway Park. This win brought them within one game of tying the franchise record for the longest winning streak, which was set in 1946. The game was postponed due to weather.

The decisive play in the 14th win came in the ninth inning when Aroldis Chapman preserved a 6-5 lead. After walking Colton Cowser, Chapman recorded two strikeouts. With runners on second and third, Tyler O’Neill hit a line drive towards left field, which was caught by shortstop Tsung-Che Cheng, securing the final out.

This 14-game streak marks the longest in the majors this season. The win against the Orioles was also the Red Sox’s ninth straight against AL East opponents, their longest such streak since 2016. The team’s pitching staff has maintained a 1.98 ERA during this period, including three shutouts. The lineup has also shown improved performance, hitting .255/.341/.461 with 22 home runs and averaging 5.9 runs per game, a notable increase from their previous average of 4.0 runs per game.

Turnaround and key factors

The Red Sox’s recent success is particularly noteworthy given their position before the streak began. On June 24, the team was 14 games under .500 with a 32-46 record, ranking as the worst in the American League. Manager Alex Cora had been replaced by Triple-A skipper Chad Tracy in late April, and key players like Garrett Crochet and Roman Anthony were injured.

A mechanical issue with their team plane on June 24, which caused a five-hour delay and a late arrival in Boston, preceded the turnaround. Following this incident, Tracy adjusted the team’s report times, which became a regular practice. The team then swept a four-game series against the New York Yankees, beginning a 19-2 stretch.

The starting rotation has been a significant factor in the team’s improved performance, achieving a 2.66 ERA during the 19-2 stretch. This has occurred despite injuries to Crochet and Connelly Early. Sonny Gray has contributed with a 3-0 record and a 1.07 ERA in four starts. Rookie left-hander Jake Bennett, acquired from the Washington Nationals, has also been a surprise contributor, with a 5-3 record and a 2.35 ERA in nine starts, including a 4-0 record and a 1.00 ERA during the 19-2 stretch.

Implications for the season

The Red Sox’s strong performance has significantly altered their outlook for the remainder of the 2026 season. Their playoff odds, which were 9.4% on June 24, increased to 63.9% after Monday’s win. The team has climbed from 15½ games behind the then-division-leading Yankees to 6½ games behind the current leaders, the Tampa Bay Rays.

This shift in performance has also impacted their approach to the trade deadline. The Red Sox, who were previously considered potential sellers, are now looking to add players. The potential return of injured players like Crochet and Early could further bolster the team. Early has started throwing from flat ground after an MRI showed no structural damage in his left elbow, while Crochet has yet to begin a throwing program.

The team’s ability to continue hitting home runs will be crucial, as they ranked 29th in home runs through June 24 but have since improved to 16th. Willson Contreras has been a strong performer during this 21-game stretch, hitting .333/.429/.741 with 20 RBIs. The team is also awaiting the return of Trevor Story, who is on the 60-day IL after surgery for a sports hernia and hopes to begin a rehab assignment in August.

The Red Sox are scheduled to play a doubleheader on Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles, with games at 1:35 p.m. and 7:10 p.m. EDT.

Source: tsn.ca