The team that made one of the strangest early-season moves in recent baseball history is roaring into the second half hotter than anybody. TheBoston Red Sox, whotraded $313 million slugger Rafael Deversin 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-placeToronto Blue Jaysin a once-again rugged American League East. And they've zoomed up six more spots to 10th in USA TODAY Sports' power rankings. Boston is coming off a four-game sweep of Tampa Bay and opens the second half with a showdown at Wrigley Field against the Cubs. A pitching staff once strafed by injury and poor performance now has two right-handers, Lucas Giolito and Brayan Bello, performing like reliable near-aces. Its lineup, bereft of Devers, has benefited from the quiet and focused rise ofsuper rookie Roman Anthony, the recent activation of All-Star Alex Bregman and the star turn of center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela. Over his last 21 games, Rafaela has batted .347 with a 1.152 OPS, 10 doubles and eight home runs. Little wonder Boston has won 11 of 12 in July - and is continuing to rise as the trade deadline comes into sight. A look at our updated rankings: From a roar to a whimper as they're swept to end the first half. They take a series at Yankee Stadium to barely keep control of NL Central. Shohei Ohtani is up to three innings a start, and looking better every time out. Fromred-hotto dropping five of six. An ascendant farm system adds perhaps the best prep shortstop in JoJo Parker. Can't stop theJacob Misiorowskihype train. Ready for a pennant race, kid? Kyle Schwarber probably the phans' phavorite Phillie andnow he's the NL's, too. Sean Manaea and Kodai Senga will make this an entirely different team. Aaron Judge seemed strangely invisible at the All-Star Game. In addition to his offensive exploits, rookie Carlos Narvaez leads the majors with 20 runners caught stealing. A 10-game road trip to tip off the second half may yet determine their fate. TheSummer of Dumperresumes. Next stop: 40 home runs? With Matt Chapman back, Willy Adames and Rafael Devers should thrive in second half. Have they played their way into a neutral actor at the trade deadline? In a packed NL Central race, they're the "why not us?" entry. Terry Francona reaches2,000 career wins. Nearly reaching .500 by the All-Star break is a significant feat. The last days ofEugenio Suárez? Say it ain't so. Shocked the world by drafting Tyler Bremner second overall. Rob Manfred insists they'll be sold soon. Seth Lugo would be significantly attractive on the trade market. Paul Sewald hits IL again with sore shoulder. What a week for Kyle Stowers: Three-homer game vs. his old team, and a swing-off bomb. Had a chance to make sure Bryan Baker deal wasn't beginning of end. Then get swept by Miami. A nice pop for Brian Snitker during All-Star Game introductions. Paul Skenes impresses Clayton Kershaw with workout routine. All Brent Rooker does is hit bombs in All-Star Games. They should try to bring one to Yolo County. What will the franchise look like by the time17-year-old Eli Willitsgets to the bigs? Yep, even Shane Smith got into the All-Star Game - for 10 pitches. Ethan Holliday is a nice bit of hope to sell, at least for a while. The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:MLB power rankings: Red Sox roll into second half, AL East standings
