Cardinals-Reds

Lore & Background

After a 10–17 (.370) start, the Red Sox fired manager Alex Cora on April 25. Triple-A Worcester Red Sox manager Chad Tracy was subsequently named as the team's interim manager. On July 22, the team won its 15th game in a row to tie the franchise record for consecutive games won, established 80 years earlier by the 1946 Red Sox. At the end of the month, the Red Sox' 21–4 (.840) record set a new record for their highest monthly winning percentage in franchise history.

In Their Own Story

The fog rolled off the Charles River as Fenway Park emptied after another victory, but the ghosts of old battles remained. A veteran historian sat in the press box, reviewing a stack of World Series programs. He traced his finger over the 1975 program against Cincinnati and the 2004 one against St. Louis. 'Great games,' he muttered to himself, 'but not rivals.' His eyes drifted to the faded banner hanging near the Green Monster, the one with the Yankees' logo crossed out in red ink. That was where the fire lived. The Cardinals and Reds were worthy foes who had tested Boston's mettle on the biggest stage, but they were visitors in Boston's house of pain. The true enemy, the one that made the blood boil every April through September, sat just across the league map.

Reader's Guide

The team opened the regular season in an away game against the Cincinnati Reds on March 26, and is scheduled to conclude the season with a home game against the Chicago Cubs on September 27.

Did You Know?

• The Red Sox tied the franchise record for consecutive wins (15) on July 22, matching the 1946 team.
• The Red Sox set a franchise record for highest monthly winning percentage in July 2026 at .840 (21–4).
• Chad Tracy was named interim manager after Alex Cora was fired on April 25.