The Boston Red Sox's five-game winning streak came to an end in disheartening fashion, as Willson Contreras has been handed a week-long suspension for his involvement in the June 30 brawl with Cade Cavalli and the Washington Nationals. His absence (if he doesn't win his appeal) will be a sobering reminder of how thin the roster is on offense this year.
However, we shouldn't forget that incredible four-game sweep of the New York Yankees to end June. Fleeting though it may have been, for one weekend, the Red Sox looked like the World Series contender they were constructed to be. The good guys scored 21 runs compared to the Evil Empire's nine, as everyone from the bottom of the lineup to the end of the bullpen contributed to the effort.
It marks the second consecutive year that Boston swept New York in June, though the fallout could not have been more different. Whereas the 2025 sweep was followed by the inexplicable trade of Rafael Devers, the 2026 iteration has led to an all-too-satisfying tailspin in the Bronx.
What a difference a week makes. Prior to that series in Fenway, the Yankees held a 3.5-game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East, which also coincides with the top overall seed in the American League.
Red Sox's sweep of Yankees has altered the powers that control the AL East
However, those two teams have gone in opposite directions over the past seven games. The Yankees are riding a seven-game losing streak, suffering another sweep at the hands of the Detroit Tigers to open July. On the other hand, the Rays are in the midst of a seven-game winning streak, sweeping the Arizona Diamondbacks and taking four straight from the Kansas City Royals.
Now, the 3.5-game division lead has swapped sides, with the Rays in pole position entering the final week of action prior to the All-Star Break. If they do on to win the division, they can send a gift basket to 4 Jersey Street, Boston, MA.
Though the Yankees' swoon (and Rays' rise) likely won't have many ramifications for the Red Sox — they remain 14 games back in the AL East and six games back in the Wild Card race — it is nice to know that the Sox have some power over the Bronx Bombers' fate. There's another four-game series scheduled between baseball's oldest rivals in August, which could have massive implications for New York's playoff chances.
Making it to October may not be in the cards for the Red Sox this year, but losing is a lot easier to swallow when the Yankees are in the same boat.
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