5 takeaways from Orioles-Red Sox: Are the Sox deadline buyers now? How good is Gunnar Henderson, really? And more - Yahoo Sports

What the report says

Yahoo Sports’ Jordan Shusterman reported that the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles met this week at Fenway Park with both clubs suddenly back in the American League conversation after slow starts. Baltimore arrived on a season-best seven-game winning streak, while Boston had won 13 in a row, its longest run since 1948. The matchup also carried potential postseason and trade-deadline implications, with the Aug. 3 deadline nearing and the teams’ season-series tiebreaker still in play.

Boston rallied late to win Monday’s opener, ending the Orioles’ streak. After Tuesday’s game was postponed by rain, the Red Sox won the first game of Wednesday’s doubleheader, 6-3, after scoring four times in the first inning. That victory extended Boston’s run to 15 straight wins, matching the franchise record set in 1946. Baltimore stopped the streak in the nightcap, scoring four first-inning runs off rookie Eduardo Rivera and winning 5-1.

One Yahoo takeaway was Boston’s unexpected rotation depth, especially among left-handers. Jake Bennett, acquired from Washington in December, has become important after injuries affected Garrett Crochet, Connelly Early and Ranger Suarez. Bennett allowed three earned runs over 5 ⅔ innings in the doubleheader opener, moving his ERA to 2.58, and Yahoo noted his low walk rate and effective changeup despite modest velocity.

The report also examined Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson, whose 2026 production has fallen well below his 2024 MVP-caliber breakout. Henderson had three doubles Monday but went 2-for-9 in the doubleheader, leaving him with a .701 OPS. With Baltimore deciding how to approach the deadline, his form remains a major storyline.