The Boston Red Sox faced the toughest test of their incredible month-long run over the weekend, taking on the reigning back-to-back World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers in a three-game set at Dodger Stadium. And that's a test they passed with flying colors as they swept the best team in baseball, showing that they are more than just a feel-good story, but a true contender to Los Angeles' throne. 

The Red Sox were the beneficiaries of some good luck with the pitching matchups for their series in LA, missing Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell, who are both on the injured list, and Shohei Ohtani, who was shut down from pitching thanks to a knee injury. Instead, they faced a bullpen game in Friday's series opener and a struggling Emmet Sheehan. However, they did take on and defeat World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Saturday's win. 

Despite getting some fortunate luck on the pitching side, the Red Sox pitching staff caught no breaks of its own, taking on the potent Los Angeles lineup that entered the series top five in baseball in runs scored, batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and weighted runs created plus. 

However, that was no problem for the vaunted Red Sox pitching staff as they held the Dodgers to just 10 runs over the three-game sweep, a far cry from the 5.1 runs they were averaging per game before taking on the Boston staff. 

Offensively, the Red Sox took advantage of the Dodgers' weaker slate of arms, unloading for 17 runs in the series opener and finale combined. Against Yamamoto, they continued to do what they've done throughout their incredible turnaround: get the big hit when they needed it.

Throughout the Red Sox' incredible stretch, whenever the opposing team has scored runs or taken a lead, they have responded, often in a big way. There is no better example of that than Sunday night, when the Dodgers took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the second inning off rookie left-hander Jake Bennett. The Boston offense came out firing in the top of the third as Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu, and Masataka Yoshida hit three home runs to reestablish a two-run Red Sox lead, 5-3. 

While the Red Sox still lack the power to consistently outslug high-powered offenses like the Dodgers, they have found a brand of baseball that works for them. "They've done a better job manufacturing runs," said WEEI pre/postgame host Joe Weil on the 'Entering Kenmore' Podcast. "They have found a way to create enough scoring opportunities, to couple with their fantastic pitching, and it puts them in the spot they are in right now," he continued. 

With Sunday night's win, the Red Sox move to a league-best 28-5 since June 25. Throughout that stretch, they have proven they can run with the class of baseball, going 11-0 against the Yankees, Rays, and Dodgers, who currently own three of baseball's five best records. 

Throughout this magical stretch, the Red Sox have not only reversed course on what was on pace to be one of the worst seasons in franchise history, but they have also solidified themselves as true World Series threats. 

The Red Sox will take the red eye back to Boston before being off on Monday’s trade deadline day as Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow works to improve his roster. They’ll open up a three-game set with the AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night at Fenway Park. Davis Martin (9-5, 3.62 ERA) will get the start for Chicago, while the Red Sox have not yet named a starter. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. on Tuesday night.