Red Sox rout Twins to keep rolling in final game before Deadline

MINNEAPOLIS -- When the Red Sox reconvene for their next baseball game on Friday night against the Astros at Fenway Park, the roster could have some additions by virtue of the fact that Thursday’s 6 p.m. ET Trade Deadline is looming.

While that is all out of the hands of the players, the team has put itself in a strong position down the stretch whether there are adds or not.

The recent good vibes continued as the Sox steamrolled the Twins, 13-1, in Wednesday afternoon’s rubber match at Target Field.

“We came here against a team that people thought that we needed to beat, and we played good baseball,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “Tomorrow’s an off-day and let's see where we’re at [roster-wise] on Friday.”

At 59-51, Boston has won five out of seven to remain within striking distance (five games) of first place in the American League East while maintaining possession of the second Wild Card spot.

“I've really been trying to stay in the moment, stay focused,” said Red Sox veteran leader Alex Bregman. “Obviously, we're in the middle of a tough stretch of games and are fighting to get back into the divisional race, and to get into the postseason.”

In July, Boston’s 17-7 mark was tops in the American League.

On Wednesday, the Sox were the best version of themselves, getting a strong pitching performance from Brayan Bello, a steady stream of offense led by Roman Anthony, Jarren Duran and Trevor Story while playing clean defense.

“The guys did an amazing job offensively,” said Cora. “You’ve got to give them credit. And then they keep taking good at-bats, and they did an amazing job. The defense was outstanding. Made some plays. Pitching wise, we can always improve, but I think they’re throwing the ball well. It was a good series.”

Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow will work the phones relentlessly through Thursday in hopes of bolstering a roster that appears worthy of adding to.

Unlike the last three seasons, when Sox players seemed preoccupied by the uncertainty surrounding the trade deadline, this year’s group has been able to stay in the moment.

Perhaps the stunning trade of Rafael Devers to the Giants in June got the Red Sox into the mode of realizing that the players have little control over moves executed by the front office, so why get preoccupied by it?

“I think right now, right here in this room, we're focused on the task at hand,” said Bregman. “We believe in this group here and if something happens, it happens., but I feel like, for the most part, all these guys in here believe in one another. We need to control what we can control and focus on the next game. I think we did a good job winning the series, and now it’s on to the next one.”

With 52 games left in their season, Cora’s team is focused on locking down a postseason spot for the first time since 2021.

If the Red Sox are to add, the most likely areas would seem to be a starting pitcher, another bullpen arm and a bat who can hold down regular at-bats at first base.

“I try not to think about it too much,” said Anthony. “I'm a player. We have guys doing those things for a living. They're scouting and doing what they do. So, I'm confident that they'll make the right decision. And it's exciting to see what will happen.”