Red Sox Off to MLB’s Hottest Start in 30 Years

Boston is the first team to win 16 of their first 18 games since the 1987 Brewers.

Boston Red Sox designated hitter Hanley Ramirez (13) waits to greet right fielder Mookie Betts (50) after the Red Sox defeated the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 8 to 2 in a game played on April 19, 2018 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Boston Red Sox designated hitter Hanley Ramirez (13) waits to greet right fielder Mookie Betts (50) after the Red Sox defeated the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 8 to 2 in a game played on April 19, 2018 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

It hasn’t gotten as much attention as the one that was ran on Monday, but there’s actually another Boston Marathon taking place this week: the winning streak of the Red Sox.  

Stretched to seven games courtesy of an 8-2 win over the Angels at Angel Stadium on Thursday night in Los Angeles, Boston’s streak has a good chance of extending this weekend in Oakland against the 9-10 Athletics.

Now sitting at 16-2, the Red Sox are in historic company as they are only the seventh team since 1900 to win at least 16 of their first 18 games and are the first club to do so since the 1987 Milwaukee Brewers.

Of the seven teams to start that quickly, two went on to win the World Series – the 1984 Tigers and the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers.

If the team wins on Friday when lefty Drew Pomeranz takes the mound for Boston against Kendall Graveman, they’ll have a chance of being on their way to matching the best overall start in team history, 21-3, which was set by the 1946 Red Sox.

Whether that happens or not, the hot start has made rookie skipper Alex Cora the first manager since 1900 to win 16 of his first 18 games in his first season with a ballclub.

“We’re playing quality baseball, and we’re pretty good right now,” Cora said. “We’re pitching, and we’re playing good defense. We’re hitting the ball, and we’re driving the ball. We’re impressive on the bases. We’re putting pressure [on the opponent] in every aspect.They show up every day and play. [Now], we go to Oakland, and it’s the same goal: try to win the series.”

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