By Tiffany Williams –
With Sunday’s 4-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, the Boston Red Sox completed a four-game sweep, extended their winning streak to 10 games, and entered the All-Star break riding the franchise’s longest streak since 2018. This milestone places Boston among an elite group, becoming just the fourth team in MLB history to reach the break on a winning streak of 10 or more games, joining the 2022 Mariners, 1975 Reds, and 1935 Tigers, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
Now 53-45 overall and eight games above .500 for the first time since August 2024, the Red Sox have firmly reestablished themselves as postseason contenders. This current run is more than just a hot streak — it’s a clear statement of their resurgence.
Sunday’s win marked Boston’s third consecutive series sweep, a feat last achieved in 2018. The sweep also marked the first time the Red Sox have taken all four games from the Rays at Fenway since 2006. With an 11-1 record in July, Boston joins only two other Red Sox teams in franchise history — from 1968 and 1939 — to start the month with such a dominant record.
The team’s success is built on balance, with strong starting pitching, reliable bullpen work, and timely hitting. They have now held opponents to four or fewer runs in 10 straight games, a stretch not seen since 2018.
Starting pitcher Brayan Bello continued his stellar performance, pitching 6.1 innings while allowing just one run and issuing no walks. This was his ninth quality start of the season and seventh consecutive, tying his personal best. Over his last eight starts, Bello has posted a 2.61 ERA and a .212 opponent batting average, providing much-needed stability to Boston’s rotation.
Offensively, Ceddanne Rafaela delivered a clutch two-run homer in the sixth inning — his fifth home run in his last 10 games — extending his career-best hitting streak to 10 games. During this span, he is batting an impressive .421 with a 1.410 OPS. Since June 20, Rafaela ranks among MLB’s top hitters, leading the league in extra-base hits, total bases, doubles, and slugging percentage, while ranking near the top in RBIs, home runs, and OPS. Once considered a sparkplug, Rafaela is now emerging as a legitimate middle-of-the-order threat.
Roman Anthony also contributed with a double and scored a run in the sixth inning, extending his hitting streak to nine games — the longest by a Red Sox player age 21 or younger since Tony Conigliaro. Over his last 16 games, Anthony is hitting .377 with a .982 OPS, demonstrating a rare combination of patience, power, and plate discipline. Together, Anthony and Rafaela represent one of the most promising young cores in the American League.
Veteran Trevor Story had a key sixth inning, adding an RBI single, stealing a base, and scoring a run. Since June 1, Story has hit .319 with a .911 OPS, eight home runs, and 35 RBIs, ranking among the top hitters in MLB during that span. His resurgence has added depth to Boston’s lineup, especially in the absence of injured outfielder Jarren Duran.
Boston’s pitching staff has been nothing short of dominant in July, posting a league-best 2.17 ERA, with starters going 8-0 and recording a 2.05 ERA. The team’s ability to hold opponents to four runs or fewer in 10 consecutive games underscores their consistency and playoff-caliber performance.
Heading into the All-Star break, the Red Sox sit at 53-45 overall, with an 11-1 mark in July, and have won 10 straight games, including seven consecutive victories at Fenway Park. They recently clinched the season series against the Rays for the first time since 2018, signaling a shift in the AL East rivalry. Since June 30, Boston has been one of the hottest teams in MLB, building momentum and confidence as they look ahead to the postseason.
Tied for the second-longest winning streak in MLB this season, Boston’s mix of young talent, veteran leadership, and strong pitching positions them well for a serious run at the Wild Card — and potentially even the AL East crown, depending on how the Yankees and Orioles perform.
This is a very different Red Sox team than the one seen earlier this year. With Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello anchoring the rotation, and young stars Roman Anthony and Ceddanne Rafaela emerging alongside the revitalized Trevor Story, Boston has found its rhythm. If they maintain this momentum in the second half, the 2025 Red Sox could turn a promising hot streak into a memorable playoff run.