The team that made one of the strangest early-season moves in recent baseball history is roaring into the second half hotter than anybody.
The Boston Red Sox, who traded $313 million slugger Rafael Devers in mid-June, will take a 10-game winning streak into the second half, climbing within a game of the New York Yankees and lurking within striking distance of the first-place Toronto Blue Jays in a once-again rugged American League East.
And they’ve zoomed up six more spots to 10th in USA TODAY Sports’ power rankings.
Boston is coming off a four-game sweep of Tampa Bay and opens the second half with a showdown at Wrigley Field against the Cubs. A pitching staff once strafed by injury and poor performance now has two right-handers, Lucas Giolito and Brayan Bello, performing like reliable near-aces. Its lineup, bereft of Devers, has benefited from the quiet and focused rise of super rookie Roman Anthony, the recent activation of All-Star Alex Bregman and the star turn of center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela.
Over his last 21 games, Rafaela has batted .347 with a 1.152 OPS, 10 doubles and eight home runs. Little wonder Boston has won 11 of 12 in July – and is continuing to rise as the trade deadline comes into sight.
A look at our updated rankings:
1. Detroit Tigers (-)
From a roar to a whimper as they’re swept to end the first half.
2. Chicago Cubs (+2)
They take a series at Yankee Stadium to barely keep control of NL Central.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (-)
Shohei Ohtani is up to three innings a start, and looking better every time out.
4. Houston Astros (-2)
From red-hot to dropping five of six.
5. Toronto Blue Jays (+2)
An ascendant farm system adds perhaps the best prep shortstop in JoJo Parker.
6. Milwaukee Brewers (-)
Can’t stop the Jacob Misiorowski hype train. Ready for a pennant race, kid?
7. Philadelphia Phillies (-)
Kyle Schwarber probably the phans’ phavorite Phillie and now he’s the NL’s, too.
8. New York Mets (-)
Sean Manaea and Kodai Senga will make this an entirely different team.
9. New York Yankees (-)
Aaron Judge seemed strangely invisible at the All-Star Game.
10. Boston Red Sox (+6)
In addition to his offensive exploits, rookie Carlos Narvaez leads the majors with 20 runners caught stealing.
11. San Diego Padres (-)
A 10-game road trip to tip off the second half may yet determine their fate.
12. Seattle Mariners (+2)
The Summer of Dumper resumes. Next stop: 40 home runs?
13. San Francisco Giants (-)
With Matt Chapman back, Willy Adames and Rafael Devers should thrive in second half.
14. Tampa Bay Rays (-4)
Have they played their way into a neutral actor at the trade deadline?
15. St. Louis Cardinals (-3)
In a packed NL Central race, they’re the ‘why not us?’ entry.
16. Cincinnati Reds (-1)
Terry Francona reaches 2,000 career wins.
17. Texas Rangers (-)
Nearly reaching .500 by the All-Star break is a significant feat.
18. Arizona Diamondbacks (-)
The last days of Eugenio Suárez? Say it ain’t so.
19. Los Angeles Angels (-)
Shocked the world by drafting Tyler Bremner second overall.
20. Minnesota Twins (-)
Rob Manfred insists they’ll be sold soon.
21. Kansas City Royals (+1)
Seth Lugo would be significantly attractive on the trade market.
22. Cleveland Guardians (+1)
Paul Sewald hits IL again with sore shoulder.
23. Miami Marlins (+2)
What a week for Kyle Stowers: Three-homer game vs. his old team, and a swing-off bomb.
24. Baltimore Orioles (-1)
Had a chance to make sure Bryan Baker deal wasn’t beginning of end. Then get swept by Miami.
25. Atlanta Braves (-1)
A nice pop for Brian Snitker during All-Star Game introductions.
26. Pittsburgh Pirates (-)
Paul Skenes impresses Clayton Kershaw with workout routine.
27. Athletics (+1)
All Brent Rooker does is hit bombs in All-Star Games. They should try to bring one to Yolo County.
28. Washington Nationals (-1)
What will the franchise look like by the time 17-year-old Eli Willits gets to the bigs?
29. Chicago White Sox (-)
Yep, even Shane Smith got into the All-Star Game – for 10 pitches.
30. Colorado Rockies (-)
Ethan Holliday is a nice bit of hope to sell, at least for a while.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
