Can Sox Continue Winning Ways On The Road?

After mauling the Rockies, Blue Jays and Padres during their recent home stand – the Sox were 8-1 at Fenway – they headed for the west coast without a break and will open a 10-game road swing against the Los Angeles Angels, Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics.

Jul 3, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; The Boston Red Sox celebrate a walk off home run by Boston Red Sox pinch hitter

(5) during the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

This road swing presents an opportunity for Boston to continue their winning ways and return to Fenway sitting pretty for important series against the Yankees and Rays before heading just down the road to Baltimore for a crucial end of July series. The Orioles are the only AL East team to have a winning record against the Sox this season and continue to be a Boston nemesis since the end of the 2011 season.

Only two of the three teams on this road trip, the Athletics at 50-36 atop the AL West, have a winning record. The Angels to date have suffered through a lackluster 2013 (41-44, .482, 3rd place in the AL West) and the Mariners have been their usual underperforming selves (37-48, .435, 4th place in the AL West).

The Red Sox, 22-18 on the road this season, are currently in first place in the AL East with the majors second best winning percentage (.607) behind the still streaking Pirates. They are 4.5 games ahead of Baltimore, 6 ahead of the Yankees, 6.5 ahead of the Rays and 11 ahead of the Blue Jays, who have once again hit the skids.

While the Sox spend time in California and Washington the Yankees and Orioles will beat up on another back east while Tampa Bay hosts the White Sox. Later next week the O’s play the Rangers and Rays before the All-Star break while the Yankees play the Royals and Twins and will go head -to-head against the Sox right after the break at Fenway.

What’s your take?