Red Sox Face Brutal Schedule After All-Star Break: 10-Game Win Streak In Peril?

Will the real Boston Red Sox please step forward?

The club’s season-high 10-game winning streak is in jeopardy following the All-Star break and the reason is quite simple. Have you looked at the beginning of their second-half schedule?

Boston returns to action on Friday when they visit the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The first-place Cubs, who own a one-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central.

After that comes a quick trip to Philadelphia for a three-game series with the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The first-place Phillies, who own a half-game lead over the New York Mets in the NL East.

Then the Red Sox return home for a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Fenway Park. The first place Dodgers, who own the best record in the Senior Circuit and hold a 5 1/2-game lead over the San Diego Padres in the NL West.

Three first-place teams back-to-back-to-back. Ouch. Certainly much tougher opponents than the last-place Washington Nationals and last-place Colorado Rockies, who the Red Sox swept to ignite their winning streak.

Boston catches a bit of a break after that stretch with three consecutive series against AL Central clubs, two of which could be trade deadline sellers. The Red Sox visit the Minnesota Twins and return home for series against the Houston Astros and Kansas City Royals.

That takes Boston past the July 31 deadline. By that point, we will know if the Red Sox are legitimate contenders.

If they hold their own against that gauntlet of first-place teams, look for chief baseball officer Craig Breslow to do some serious wheeling and dealing.

If they stumble, Breslow will likely take a more conservative approach ahead of the deadline.

So again, the question needs to be asked: Will the real Boston Red Sox please step forward?