In the wake of the White Sox series, Boston prepared for a three-game weekend set in Queens against the New York Mets. Interim manager Chad Tracy has watched the team turn things around in impressive fashion, and first-year third baseman Caleb Durbin provided a candid assessment of what’s clicking for the club.
Durbin’s analysis centers on one simple concept: playing winning baseball. After a one-run win over Chicago, Boston had rattled off 11 wins in 13 games over a two-week span. That stretch began with a four-game sweep of the New York Yankees at Fenway Park, a sign that the lineup and pitching staff were rounding into form at the same time. Durbin noted that the team had been close for a while but was finally executing in a way that catalyzed momentum throughout the clubhouse.
Durbin has also contributed at the plate in a meaningful way. Since June 10, he has hit eight home runs, including a two-run homer off Chicago starter Anthony Kay that proved decisive in Wednesday’s victory. While Durbin is riding a strong stretch, he remains focused on continuing to improve. He emphasized that his production is not close to his potential and that the goal is to keep stacking quality at-bats and consistent performance as the season progresses.
The Red Sox’ recent surge isn’t limited to offense. Pitching has been a critical factor in the turnaround, providing the team with stable outings and a foundation to build wins on. In the latest development, left-hander Patrick Sandoval made his first appearance on the mound since June 2024 following Tommy John surgery. He delivered 4.1 innings of work, yielding five hits and one run while issuing five strikeouts and one walk, throwing 65 pitches in his return. Interim manager Tracy praised the outing, noting the velocity and command were encouraging and that Sandoval was able to land all of his pitches effectively—an important early indicator of his confidence and readiness to contribute at the major league level after a lengthy rehab period.
As Boston shifts focus toward the Mets series, the team will aim to capitalize on the momentum built in recent weeks. However, they’ll do so without one of their key bats for the weekend. All-Star first baseman Willson Contreras began serving a five-game suspension, with the suspension currently reduced by two games. His absence will test the Red Sox’ depth and their ability to generate offense against a Mets club that also seeks a strong performance before the break.
Looking ahead, the Red Sox will need continued contributions across the lineup and continued solid pitching to maximize their chances of locking down a wildcard berth. The current stretch has highlighted a cohesive club with a clear, simple approach: play winning baseball, execute at the plate, and rely on the pitching staff to keep games within reach and turn leads into wins.
For fans following the team, the narrative is straightforward: the Red Sox are executing better than they did in earlier parts of the season, building a rhythm that could carry them through the rest of the regular season. If they can maintain this level of play, Boston could leverage their momentum into a strong postseason push, even with the challenge of a suspended slugger temporarily sidelined.
As the Mets series begins, the club will look to continue its ascent and demonstrate that their recent success is not a fluke. With a lineup that has shown both power and resilience, and a pitching staff that appears to be rounding into form, the Red Sox stand in a position to make a meaningful run before the All-Star break.
