Why Alex Cora Thinks Red Sox Are ‘Much Better’ Than Last Two Seasons

Alex Cora’s Boston Red Sox avoided an unpleasant repeat of history with a big series sweep.

Boston extended its winning streak to five with a 6-1 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday. The Red Sox are now ahead of the New York Yankees and three games behind the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East.

Sweeping the Astros is extra sweet for the Red Sox, as the Astros swept them in an August series during each of the last two seasons. That role reversal led Cora to compare those Red Sox squads after Sunday’s win, per WEEI’s Tom Carroll.

“We’re much better than the last two years,” Cora said. “We’re healthier.”

The Red Sox had a 53-47 record in each of those three seasons, but they missed the playoffs in 2023 and 2024.

Two years ago, Boston allowed 26 runs in three combined losses to Houston. Cora recalled his pitching staff dealing with injuries at the time.

The Red Sox surrendered 23 runs during three consecutive home losses to the Astros last year. James Paxton left the final defeat with an injury in the first injury, putting Cora’s pitching staff in a tough spot for the next few days.

Boston pitched much better this time around, stifling Houston to five combined runs. Lucas Giolito spared the bullpen by working eight strong innings on Sunday.

Cora can sense momentum building for the Red Sox, who have won 19 of their last 26 games.

“It’s a lot different right now,” Cora said. “We got a good team. Guys are playing with an edge now. You can tell. Like I said, this place is becoming — it’s fun. It’s fun again, so we just got to continue playing good baseball.”

The Red Sox will look to keep cruising when they host the Kansas City Royals for three games.