Rowan Kavner is an MLB writer for FOX Sports. He previously covered the L.A. Dodgers, LA Clippers and Dallas Cowboys. An LSU grad, Rowan was born in California, grew up in Texas, then moved back to the West Coast in 2014. Follow him on X at @RowanKavner.

The Boston Red Sox, who traded $313 million slugger Rafael Devers in mid-June, will take a 10-game winning streak into the second half, climbing within a game of the New York Yankees and lurking within striking distance of the first-place Toronto Blue Jays in a once-again rugged American League East.

Their lead in the NL Central grew to 6 ½ games on June 17. They haven't even been playing poorly lately -- they are still on pace to win 97 games -- but the lead has dwindled. In fact, the Cubs and Brewers are tied for first place.