The Boston Red Sox capped off a spectacular month of July with an emphatic win over the reigning back-to-back World Series Champions, making franchise history in the process.
The Boston Red Sox entered the month of July at 37-47, the fourth-worst record in the American League, and 5.5 games back of the Seattle Mariners for the final playoff position in the AL. After defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-4 in Friday night's series opener at Dodger Stadium, the Red Sox finished the month 21-4, vaulting to a 58-51 record and giving them firm control of the second wild card position, making franchise history in the process.
According to Red Sox Nation Stats on Twitter/X, the Red Sox finished the month with an .840 winning percentage, setting the franchise record for best winning percentage in a month in which the team played 25 or more games, surpassing the 1901 and 1950 clubs' record of an .800 winning percentage.
While the Red Sox ' record-setting month was spurred by a franchise record-tying 15-game winning streak, the team has kept up the good vibes rolling, winning six of its last eight games in the wake of the streak's end.
What has led to the turnaround?
Jul 18, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox first base coach/infield instructor Jose David Flores (58) (l) and interim managerChadTracy(17) (r) watch from the dugout during the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. Eric Canha-Imagn Images"This is a team that has found some belief in itself,” said WEEI Red Sox pre/postgame host Joe Weil on the ‘Entering Kenmore’ Podcast of the Red Sox turnaround. “I don’t think you can get out of a hole in which they’ve dug themselves without belief that it is going to turn around. It has to start there, and it’s a credit to them that they continued to fight,” he continued.
The Red Sox' miraculous turnaround has been a total team effort, led by the strength of the team's pitching staff. In the 25 games in July, the Boston staff posted a 2.91 ERA, the lowest in baseball.
Throughout the month, the much-maligned offense didn't light up the stat sheet, scoring the ninth-fewest runs in the sport while hitting .245/.316/.394/.710. But they were able to find a brand of baseball that works for them, one that manufactures runs through base hits and small ball. In July, the Red Sox led baseball in sacrifice bunts with 13, six more than the next closest team.
Jul 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela (3) reacts after hitting a two-run home run during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn ImagesAlong with manufacturing runs, the Red Sox have gotten incredibly timely swings throughout the month, which was capped off with Ceddanne Rafaela's go-ahead two-run home run in the seventh inning of Friday's win.
Up next for the Sox
The Red Sox will look to keep the good vibes rolling into August and secure their eighth straight series win in game two of three from Dodger Stadium on Saturday night. Payton Tolle (6-6, 3.32 ERA) will get the start for Boston opposite Los Angeles ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto (11-6, 2.72 ERA). First pitch is set for 9:40 p.m. ET.
Yamamoto was a key figure in the Dodgers' second straight World Series title, which was won against the Toronto Blue Jays last year.
