Disparaging as I may be about most ideological core concepts at either extreme, one I’m taking a lot more seriously and to heart is the concept of climate change. It is far more humid and draining in my once-cherished “over the hill” location on the edge of Culver City and the brink of insanity than ever–although since I still work in the valley it is still appreciably better where I am. It’s just not as refreshing as it used to be and not a day goes by where I’m not acutely aware of it.
So I’m that much more aware of what can be truly defined as “hot” as ever, and I can certify that the Olde Towne Team is indeed its epitome. Especially in the wake of what went down at their typically humid 114-year-old bandbox on Landsdowne Street that the bots of FIELD LEVEL MEDIA reported on:
Caleb Durbin hit a solo home run to break a tie score in the eighth inning as the Boston Red Sox extended their winning streak to 14 games by beating the visiting Baltimore Orioles, 6-5, Monday night. Durbin’s homer came against reliever Tyler Wells (2-2) and broke a 5-5 tie. It was his 10th home run of the season.
Baltimore had runners on second and third with two outs in the ninth, but Tyler O’Neill lined out to shortstop to end the game. Garrett Whitlock (5-1) pitched a scoreless eighth to earn the win. Aroldis Chapman worked the ninth for his 22nd save.
BOSTON RED SOX ON SI’s Jackson Roberts gave the events further weight:
A streak that began when the Sox looked like surefire trade deadline sellers has turned them into the story of the season thus far — and put them on the doorstep of history. The Red Sox had only won 13 games in a row twice before in franchise history entering this game, so by getting to 14, they’ve secured their longest streak since 1946. That year, the Red Sox managed exactly one more during their fantastic summer, fueled by a Most Valuable Player season from Ted Williams and plenty of help from the supporting cast. So if the Red Sox can beat the Orioles again on Tuesday with the freshly healed Ranger Suárez on the mound, they’ll tie the longest mark in the 126-year history of the club.
Oh, and the Red Sox are suddenly three games over .500. They’re not only in control of a wild card spot, but they’re six games out of first place in the division.
To think this turnaround began when the team cut bait with Alex Cora 2.0’s managerial reign a month into the season and elevated Chad Tracy to the role, he having been exceptionally familiar with the prospects that have increasingly found their way onto the field in the wake of several lingering injuries to the veterans–and even some of the “phenoms”–who were expected to be the core of the 2026 team. It’s a move reminiscent to what the Mets made in the off-season between 1983 and 1984 when their Triple-A skipper Davey Johnson got the call. A move that’s very much on those fans’ minds (hand raised) in a year where the current squad sports black armbands with his first name embroidered in memoriam and the current management allowed its own underperforming skipper to languish until the end of last month, which by that time had sealed their fate as a last-place exemplar of the Walking Dead.
And if those sweltering sufferers needed any further reminder of missed opportunities they could also look due south, and within their own division, for how a team perpetually seeking Red October’s decision to change stewardship almost as proactively has resulted in a spirtually uplifting Red July that was on display for a national ESPN audience last night. The ASSOCIATED PRESS’ Aaron Bracy person-splained:
Trea Turner hit two homers, including the 200th of his career, and drove in five runs, Bryce Harper and Brandon Marsh also went deep and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-7 on Monday night. NL All-Star starter Cristopher Sánchez (12-4) allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings. He permitted seven hits while striking out seven and walking none.
Derek Hill added a solo homer for the Phillies, who trail NL East-leading Atlanta by three games. Mookie Betts homered twice and had two singles for the NL West-leading Dodgers. Los Angeles has lost seven of its last eight games in Philadelphia.
Those are points that should be bookmarked if you’re a supporter of Los Doyers, especially in light of the fact that with last night’s loss, coupled with Milwaukee’s shellacking of former ace Freddie Peralta in his first outing as a Met visiting his old stomping grounds, dropped them into a tie with the Brewers for the NL’s top spot–and the playoff bye. If the season ended today guess who would be squaring off in a best-of-three sprint against each other to survive and advance? You betcha, LA and Philly.
You wanna split hairs and contend that LA having home field advantage for such a matchup would negate the impact of the Phils’ recent dominance in the City of Brotherly Love? Perhaps. But with their climates becoming more and more equal that advantage becomes more and more minimized. And the manager who is leading them to their turnaround as well as his own career resurrection is one Don Mattingly, who is exceptionally familiar with all things Dodgers having led them to 446 wins and three consecutive post-season births between 2011-2015.
These are more than intriguing storylines that are emblazoned into the psyches of anyone who deals with the pain and suffering of migraines and losing (hand raised again). We can always look to the skies for hope for better days–but all we’re likely to see is a sun whose hue is becoming increasingly red.
Courage…