July
Record: 19-6
After a brutal 11-1 loss to the Yankees to open the month, the Red Sox got rolling. They rattled off 10 straight following the loss, with sweeps of Washington, Kansas City, and Texas. The Red Sox did not lose a series all month and began to run away with the AL East. After being tied for the division lead, the Red Sox held a 5 game lead in the division at the end of the month.
The Red Sox also had 3 walk-offs in the month, coming from Xander Bogaerts (grand slam), Mookie Betts (solo home run), and Blake Swihart (double). For Swihart, this was the month he showed his offensive upside, boasting a 1.091 OPS in the month.
Starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi was acquired on July 25th and second baseman Ian Kinsler was acquired on July 31st. Reliever Ryan Brasier also began his unexpected rise through the bullpen making his debut on July 9th and finishing the month with a 0.90 ERA in 10 innings.
The Red Sox finished the month with an incredible 75-34 record heading into an August, and the memorable 4 game series with the Yankees.
Game of the month:
On July 29th, Nathan Eovaldi made his debut for the Red Sox. One start was all he needed to show he was what the Red Sox were looking for. He fired 7 shutout innings and the Red Sox won 3-0 after Matt Barnes and Craig Kimbrel shut the Twins down in the 8th and 9th. This was the beginning of what would be a very successful half season for Nathan Eovaldi and the Red Sox. The rotation was set, and they were ready to make a deep run.