Alex Cora has maximized his team’s potential, but it’s important to understand their current context. Jarren Duran’s game-winning run late in Saturday’s match against Cincinnati was an uncommon play in the majors. Winning the games you’re supposed to win is crucial. After a week where the Red Sox defeated the Phillies and Yankees teams they weren’t expected to beat they followed up with strong performances in Toronto and Cincinnati.
“Athleticism and youth have put us in this spot,” manager Alex Cora told reporters after taking two out of three against the Reds. “These players are establishing themselves as major leaguers. They show up and play.”
“We went from having a roster with some early-season question marks to now feeling like we have one of the best position-player rosters we’ve had in a while. From 1-13, we’re confident in playing everyone. We’re in a good spot right now.”
Indeed, at 42-36, they’re six games over .500 for the first time this season, back in a wild-card position after surpassing the Royals. With ten wins in their last 13 games, they’re even with the Mets during this span—despite the Mets’ tough Sunday night at Wrigley Field.
It’s an impressive and notable run as the Celtics’ season concludes and the spotlight shifts to the Red Sox until late summer. As we’ve often mentioned, there’s something special about these Red Sox, and Cora has almost fully harnessed it.
However, it’s important to contextualize their situation. They were 1.5 games out of a playoff spot before this 10-3 streak and only secured the third wild card on Sunday, highlighting how tough it is to gain ground. On Sunday, they became the 18th of 30 MLB teams to achieve at least 10 wins over a 13-game stretch this season.
More than half the league has done it, including:
— The Cubs and Reds, who are struggling at the bottom of the NL Central;
— The injury-ridden Astros, who were 12-24 when they got hot and still aren’t at .500;
— The Mets, who like Houston, are still several games under .500 despite their hot streak.
