5 MLB teams that can make surprise run in season’s second half

Boston Red Sox

The Orioles and Yankees have been the talk of the AL East, but the Red Sox, despite being under .500 as recently as June 11, have suddenly caught fire and remain in the thick of the division race and the wild-card chase in the American League. Boston has lost just eight games since June 11 and has proven to have one of the better lineups in the American League led by Rafael Devers and All-Star game MVP Jarren Duran. Meanwhile, the pitching staff has been equally solid with the fifth-best team ERA in the majors, in large part thanks to top-of-the-rotation starters Kutter Crawford and Tanner Houck, with the latter holding one of the best ERAs in the big leagues (2.54). 

Boston’s recent run could lead it to buy at the trade deadline and another piece or two in the lineup and the pitching rotation could suddenly make the Red Sox a legitimate contender. Even as the roster stands now, they have a chance to make a surprise run, and with a lot of division games ahead on their schedule and some key series ahead against the Mariners, Royals, Astros and Twins, Boston will have a chance to separate itself heading into the postseason.