Red Sox secure 80th win with victory over Angels ahead of next matchup

The Red Sox extended their winning streak to five games with a 5-2 victory over the Angels on Monday, becoming the third team in the American League to reach 80 wins. Along with the Rays and Yankees, who also play in the AL East, the Red Sox remain firmly in control of the second wild-card spot. During Monday's game, Adley Rutschman’s three-run home run in the second inning extended the lead to 4-0, marking his fourth home run with the team and the hardest-hit ball of his career at 112.1 miles per hour.

On the other side, Monday’s defeat officially ended the Angels' playoff hopes for the 12th consecutive season, which is the longest active streak in Major League Baseball. The Angels have struggled recently, posting a 2-12 record over their last 14 games and failing to score more than three runs in 11 of those losses, leaving them a season-high 36 games below .500. Meanwhile, the Red Sox's defense has been stellar, allowing two or fewer runs in four consecutive games for the second time this season.

The series will continue on Tuesday with a matchup of left-handed starting pitchers. Patrick Sandoval, who spent six seasons with the Angels from 2019 to 2024, will take the mound for the Red Sox to face his former team for the first time. The Angels will counter with Reid Detmers, who holds a 3-2 record and a 2.72 ERA in his 10 career appearances against the Red Sox.