Red Sox close gap on Rays in AL East with strong performance
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 8, 2026, 5:41 AM
Last updated Aug 8, 2026
As of August 8, 2026, the Tampa Bay Rays maintain a 4.5-game lead over the New York Yankees in the AL East after defeating the Seattle Mariners. However, the Boston Red Sox are within five games of Tampa Bay, riding a nine-game winning streak and winning 27 of their last 30 games. Following the trade deadline, the Rays acquired players to bolster their roster, while the Red Sox expect to add catcher Adley Rutschman to their lineup soon. The two teams will meet next on September 18 in Tampa.
- •Rays are 4.5 games ahead of the Yankees in the AL East.
- •Red Sox won 27 of their last 30 games and are on a nine-game winning streak.
- •Tampa Bay added Liam Hicks, Freddy Peralta, and Tyler Wells at the trade deadline.
- •Boston is expecting Adley Rutschman to begin his rehab assignment this weekend.
- •Rays and Red Sox will face off on September 18.
- 5:41 AMYahoo Sports — Red Sox Are Coming, but the Rays Have Everything Needed to Hold Them Off
"The Rays remain atop the AL East, but the red-hot Red Sox are quickly becoming Tampa Bay's biggest threat. After adding Liam Hicks, Freddy Peralta and Tyler Wells at the trade deadline, did the Rays do enough to hold off Boston and New York down the stretch?
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