July 24, 2025: Despite a shaky start post-All-Star break, dropping four of their last five games, the Boston Red Sox are internally confident they can make a playoff run. This belief stems from the current parity in the American League and their knack for winning close games, as evidenced by their thrilling Red Sox score of 9-8 in an 11-inning victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday.
Also Read: Red Bull Racing: Verstappen Aims for Belgian GP Win After Horner’s Exit!
Urgency on Display in Phillies Thriller
Wednesday’s win was a gritty, playoff-like battle against a strong opponent. Manager Alex Cora showed an unmistakable sense of urgency, bringing in closer Aroldis Chapman in the seventh inning to face a dangerous Kyle Schwarber. Though Chapman later gave up a game-tying homer, the Red Sox desperately needed the win and ultimately prevailed.
The team showcased remarkable resilience, battling back from a 5-0 deficit with Romy Gonzalez’s grand slam, only to lose the lead in the eighth. They then surged ahead in the 10th and secured the win in the 11th on a Carlos Narvaez homer.
Past Trade Deadline Lessons and Inconsistent Offense
This internal confidence contrasts with recent trade deadline approaches. Last season, the Red Sox made “middling moves” that didn’t pan out, and the year before, despite being in wild-card contention, they largely stood pat. Manager Alex Cora has been vocal about this, stating, “When teams add and you stay put, other teams get better… we haven’t done that in a few years here.”
The team’s “Jekyll-and-Hyde” offense has also resurfaced after the break. While the Red Sox’s offense still ranks among the league leaders, partly due to 16 games where they’ve scored 10 or more runs, consistency remains a challenge.
The Red Sox now head home for a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers starting Friday.