The Boston Red Sox have been down for most of the 2026 season, but their current five-game win streak shows they're far from out.

On Monday, the Red Sox built on their weekend sweep of the rival New York Yankees (48-36) with a 6-3 home win over the Washington Nationals (43-43), breathing more life into a season that once circling the drain.

Streaking Red Sox not out of AL playoff picture

Since falling a season-high 14 games under .500 on June 18, Boston is 8-3 while possessing the majors' hottest pitching staff, Red Sox pitchers combining for an MLB-low 2.13 ERA in 97 innings. And even with some noticeable holes in the lineup, particularly left fielder Jarren Duren, who's batting .197 this season, Boston has generated consistent offense of late, scoring four or more runs in seven consecutive games.

The small yet meaningful uptick in performance should give the Red Sox (37-46) hope they can climb out of the AL East cellar. Boston is a half-game behind the Baltimore Orioles (39-47) for last place in the division, but it isn't too far off in an open and mediocre American League.

Following the Red Sox's Monday win, only three AL teams (Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, Chicago White Sox) have a better run differential than Boston. With only five clubs over .500 at the season's midway point, a second-half run isn't out of the question.

The Red Sox are just four games behind the Seattle Mariners (42-43) for the league's final wild card, giving them everything to play for over the final three months of the regular season. When Boston began the year 2-8 and later was 29-43 after an eighth loss in 10 games, that would have been a ridiculous thought, but the strong close to June has provided hope. With few other AL teams inspiring much confidence, the Red Sox making a successful playoff push isn't as wild as it may have once seemed.