BOSTON -- In the midst of a certifiable heater, the Red Sox now must break for a few days before re-convening at Wrigley Field on Friday for a matchup with the Cubs.
But there’s no reason to think the vibes of a winning streak that reached 10 games with a 4-1 victory that completed a four-game sweep of the Rays on a postcard-perfect Sunday at Fenway Park will suddenly disappear after the All-Star break.
Too much momentum has been built individually and collectively, both from the pitching staff and the offense.
The Red Sox join the 2022 Mariners, the ‘75 Reds and ‘35 Tigers as the fourth team in history to have a 10-game winning streak or longer going into the break. It is the first time the Red Sox have had a 10-game winning streak since July 2-11 of the 2018 World Series championship season.
It will be a respite to enjoy for the Sox.
“It’s good for everybody,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “Take care of your family, have fun and then be ready for Friday.”
What changed so swiftly during this stretch?
“I think just the conviction and who we are as a team,” said Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story. "I think we have more of an identity now. We're starting to believe in that. I think we can win in different ways. I think we've shown over this 10-gamer we can slug or we can win one-run games. We can steal bases. But I think it all starts with the pitching, they’ve been lights-out.”
Speaking of which, Brayan Bello continues to sparkle from the mound. Five days after the first nine-inning complete game of his career, the 26-year-old continued to be smooth and in control, holding the Rays to six hits and one run over 6 1/3 innings. He walked none and struck out five.
“The kid today, that was electric.” said Cora. “He was at 97, 98 with the sinker, and he had the cutter and used his changeup well. He's grown so much in the last three years. Now, he's striking people out, controlling the running game. It was good.
"It was good to see the ovation too. I told him [when I came to the mound], ‘Be ready, enjoy it.’ He didn't want to come out of the game, but we needed to [take him out] there. But for the fans to give him that ovation, it means a lot.”
No player has given Red Sox fans more to cheer about in recent weeks than center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela, Friday night’s walk-off home run hero, who continues to be hotter than hot at the plate. The 24-year-old clubbed a two-run homer that just cleared the Green Monster to open up Boston’s lead to three runs in the bottom of the sixth.
There was also his latest defensive gem to talk about. In the top of the third, Yandy Diaz hit a sinking liner that Rafaela tried to make his latest spectacular diving grab on. Only this one, it just trickled out of his glove. Alertly, Rafaela came up throwing and nailed Austin Wells at third.
At least the Rays would have a sure run though with the speedy Chandler Simpson going second to home. However, Simpson thought Rafaela caught the ball and slowed down and didn’t touch home until after the putout at third, meaning the run didn’t count.
“I’ve never seen anything like that,” said Cora. “I mean, their guys slowed down, but for him to have the presence of mind to get the ball and throw to third base, it was amazing.”
At this point, it isn’t just fans who are amazed by the exploits of Rafaela.
“I tell him he’s my favorite player to watch,” said Story. “He can do everything on the baseball field. He can run, he can hit, he can throw, and it feels like he can play any position at an elite level. He’s just electric.”
Then there is Story, who looked like he was possibly on an irreversible decline as a hitter at the end of May but has come on strong as one of the season’s better comeback stories.
“We're playing well,” said Cora. “Trevor and Rafaela have been amazing. We're running the bases OK and playing good defense, pitching. We have a good baseball team.”
Not to mention a baseball team that goes into the break smoldering.