Editor’s Note: All my graphics going forward will come directly from my new website, Stat Soldier. Go check it out by clicking here.
Overall Takeaway
I am going to be very careful here with what I say in this blog. It has become clear that a Red Sox content creator is taking many of my tweets and blogs as direct attacks on him. Twice now, he has gone in and attacked me about my stuff. Little does he know I just got credentialed to attend the Hall of Fame Induction in Cooperstown (Blog coming about that), so nothing can bring me down.
Alright, on to the best team in baseball.
I am not going to sit here and pretend that this year has been a joy to watch from start to finish. But there is literally nothing else better in the world than watching Red Sox baseball. Win or lose, I don’t care, I just want to watch games.
Yeah, it is way more fun when the team is winning. And the team is on fire. They have won 11 of their last 13, including three sweeps (Yankees, Angels, and White Sox). They will now go play the Mets before the All-Star break. I will be boots on the ground for Saturday’s game, so look out for some content on my X account.
Go Boston.
Game 1: Red Sox 8-1
Game 2: Red Sox 5-0
Game 3: Red Sox 2-1
What I Loved
Winning
Winning cures everything, and right now the Red Sox are the best team in baseball (Sorry, Marlins).
Willson Contreras
Really only had an impact in Game 1, but his impact is beyond the diamond. He is the heart of the team at this point.
Ceddanne Rafaela
Home run on Tuesday, followed by another 2-5 game on Wednesday. Not much noise on Thursday, but he did his job.
Here are Ceddanne Rafaela’s splits over the last few years.
2023: .241 AVG | .666 OPS | 76 wRC+
2024: .246 AVG | .664 OPS | 81 wRC+
2025: .249 AVG | .708 OPS | 91 wRC+
2026: .287 AVG | .780 OPS | 114 wRC+
Bullpen
Pen has been nails the last six games with a 1.33 ERA. I have no idea if Tanner Houck will actually be able to pitch this year, but get that guy in the bullpen, too, and make a run.
Jake Bennett
I have a blog coming out called “In Defense of Craig Breslow”. A section of the blog will cover the trade for Jake Bennett.
Four straight quality starts from Jake.
Payton Tolle
Wow, another player chosen by Craig Breslow? Yep.
Payton Tolle bounced back from his worst start of the season to throw six shutout innings on Tuesday. Was throwing a lot of cutters in that game against the Nationals, but reversed and used the sinker as his main secondary pitch.
What I Was ‘Mid’ About
NOTHING
I am on such a high with this win streak
What I Didn’t Love
Jarren Duran
While the Red Sox have been great the last 20 games, Duran has not. He has carried a .495 OPS over that time span. Yikes. Lots of calls for him to be traded at the deadline, along with others, but that seems like a huge waste at this point. Any return you get will be underwhelming.
Who Got Screwed
The Home Run Derby (Potentially)
I don’t think Contreras is ruled out of the derby yet, but you have to imagine they are contemplating it. Frankly, I was hoping to see him charge the mound or attack Junior Caminero. Would have made for good TV.
Stat Soldier Score Cards
Game 1:
Game 2
Game 3:
