Red Sox Land 3-Time All-Star Adley Rutschman as 32-5 Surge Turns Boston Into AL Favorite
Updated
Updated · The Boston Globe · Aug 7
Red Sox Land 3-Time All-Star Adley Rutschman as 32-5 Surge Turns Boston Into AL Favorite
3 articles · Updated · The Boston Globe · Aug 7
Summary
Boston capped its midseason turnaround by trading top prospects for Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman, giving a star boost to a lineup whose catchers had been among its weakest bats.
The move follows a stunning 32-5 run since June 25 that pulled the Red Sox from 14 games under .500 and 15 1/2 back of the Yankees to within a half-game entering Saturday.
That surge accelerated after a 27-game managerial shake-up: rookie skipper Chad Tracy replaced Alex Cora, and Boston then went 27-3 since July 3, including a franchise-tying 15 straight wins.
July became the best month in the club's 126-season history at 21-4, and from July 7 to Aug. 6 the Red Sox went 16-0 against likely playoff teams including the Yankees, Rays, White Sox and Dodgers.
After winning 89 games last year and with the American League viewed as weak, Boston is now being cast as an all-in contender rather than a team rescued from an early-season collapse.