The Boston Red Sox extended their winning streak to 12 games with a four-run rally against the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday. Outfielder Wilyer Abreu hit two home runs for the second consecutive game. Teammates reacted with disbelief. “Are you crazy?” one asked.
The streak is the longest active run in Major League Baseball. The Red Sox now stand at 64-34, leading the American League East by 5.5 games. Abreu’s performance has been the catalyst.
Red Sox Win Streak Hits 12: The Four-Run Rally That Sealed It
The Red Sox trailed 4-2 entering the seventh inning. A four-run rally turned the game. Rafael Devers doubled to drive in the first run. Abreu followed with a two-run homer. The bullpen held the Rays scoreless for the final three frames.
Source: ESPN.com
Pitching adjustments were critical. Starter Brayan Bello allowed four runs over five innings. Relievers Justin Slaten, Zack Kelly, and Kenley Jansen combined for four scoreless innings. Jansen earned his 24th save.
Fenway Park attendance was 37,845. The crowd energy reached a season high, according to team officials.
Wilyer Abreu: The ‘Crazy’ Catalyst Behind the Streak
Abreu’s back-to-back two-home-run games mark a career first. In the two games, he batted .667 (4-for-6) with four home runs, eight RBIs, and a 2.500 OPS. His swing mechanics have shifted. He is pulling the ball more frequently—62% of his batted balls in the streak have gone to left field.
Pitch selection has improved. Abreu is laying off low-and-away breaking balls. He is attacking fastballs in the zone. His barrel rate jumped to 22% over the past week, per Statcast data.
Teammate Jarren Duran said: “He’s locked in. Every swing looks like it’s meant to do damage.” Manager Alex Cora added: “We’ve seen flashes. This is different.”
Source: MLB.com
Opposing teams are adjusting. Rays pitchers threw Abreu 73% fastballs on Saturday. He homered on a 97 mph four-seamer and an 88 mph slider. The strategy failed.
Game 98 Preview: Can the Red Sox Make It 13 Straight vs. the Rays?
The series finale is Sunday, July 19, 2026. First pitch is at 1:35 PM ET at Fenway Park. Weather forecast: partly cloudy, 82 degrees, wind blowing out to left field at 10 mph.
| Category | Red Sox | Rays |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Pitcher | Tanner Houck (10-4, 3.12 ERA) | Shane Baz (8-6, 3.78 ERA) |
| Projected Lineup | 1. Jarren Duran CF, 2. Rafael Devers 3B, 3. Wilyer Abreu RF, 4. Triston Casas 1B, 5. Masataka Yoshida DH, 6. Trevor Story SS, 7. Ceddanne Rafaela 2B, 8. Connor Wong C, 9. Rob Refsnyder LF | 1. Yandy Diaz 1B, 2. Brandon Lowe 2B, 3. Junior Caminero 3B, 4. Randy Arozarena RF, 5. Josh Lowe LF, 6. Ben Rortvedt C, 7. Jose Siri CF, 8. Taylor Walls SS, 9. Kameron Misner DH |
| Key Matchup | Abreu vs. Baz: Abreu is 2-for-4 with 1 HR vs. Baz in 2026 | Diaz vs. Houck: Diaz is hitting .333 with 2 doubles vs. Houck |
| Bullpen Usage | Jansen (rested), Slaten (1 inning Sat), Kelly (1 inning Sat) | Fairbanks (rested), Adam (1 inning Sat), Poche (1.2 innings Sat) |
Source: Boston Globe, July 19, 2026
Injury updates: Red Sox CF Ceddanne Rafaela is day-to-day with a mild hamstring strain. He is expected to start. Rays 2B Brandon Lowe is playing through a sore left knee. He started Saturday and went 1-for-4.
What the 12-Game Streak Means for the Red Sox Season
The streak has moved the Red Sox from a 2.5-game division lead to a 5.5-game cushion. It is the franchise’s longest winning streak since a 13-game run in 2021. The 2026 team is on pace for 106 wins.
Abreu’s emergence adds depth. He is now hitting .282 with 18 home runs and 56 RBIs. His OPS has climbed to .874. The Red Sox lineup now has five hitters with an OPS above .800: Devers (.934), Casas (.912), Yoshida (.887), Abreu (.874), and Duran (.842).
Sustainability concerns remain. The Red Sox face a 10-game road trip starting Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros. Both teams are above .500. The bullpen has thrown 14 innings over the past three games. Fatigue could become a factor.
Division standings after Saturday:
| Team | Wins | Losses | Games Behind | Streak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Red Sox | 64 | 34 | – | W12 |
| New York Yankees | 59 | 40 | 5.5 | W2 |
| Baltimore Orioles | 57 | 42 | 7.5 | L1 |
| Tampa Bay Rays | 52 | 47 | 12.5 | L3 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | 48 | 51 | 16.5 | L2 |
The Streak, the Star, and What Comes Next
The Red Sox are one win away from 13 straight. Abreu is the centerpiece. His back-to-back two-homer games have transformed the lineup. The series finale against the Rays offers a chance to extend the run.
Game 98 is at 1:35 PM ET. Watch on NESN or MLB Network.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: How did the Red Sox win their 12th straight game?
- A: The Red Sox trailed 4-2 but rallied for four runs in the seventh inning, capped by Wilyer Abreu’s two-run homer. The bullpen held the Rays scoreless over the final three frames for a 6-4 victory.
- Q: What makes Wilyer Abreu’s performance ‘crazy’?
- A: Abreu hit two home runs in back-to-back games for the first time in his career. Over the two games, he batted .667 with four homers, eight RBIs, and a 2.500 OPS, prompting teammates to ask, ‘Are you crazy?’
- Q: How has Abreu changed his approach at the plate?
- A: Abreu is pulling the ball more frequently—62% of his batted balls during the streak have gone to left field—and he has improved his pitch selection by laying off low-and-away breaking balls.
Extended Reading
For complete game coverage, visit MLB.com’s Red Sox team page. The Boston Globe provides daily lineup and preview updates. ESPN’s MLB section offers standings and statistical analysis.