The Boston Red Sox were on the cusp of making history, having tied a franchise record with a 15-game winning streak. However, their bid for a new franchise record was short-lived, as they fell to the Baltimore Orioles in the second game of a doubleheader, ending their streak at 15 games.

The Red Sox were tasked with playing a doubleheader on Wednesday due to a rainout on Tuesday night. In the first game, they emerged victorious, beating the Orioles 6-3 and extending their winning streak to 15 games. This achievement tied the franchise record set in 1946 by a lineup that included the likes of Ted Williams, Johnny Pesky, Bobby Doerr, and Dom DiMaggio.

However, the Orioles were not to be underestimated in the second game. They jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning and never looked back, eventually toppling the Red Sox 5-1.

The 15-game winning streak is a remarkable achievement, and it’s worth noting that it’s the second-longest winning streak of this decade, behind only the 17-game winning streak of the 2021 St. Louis Cardinals.

A Look at the History of Longest Winning Streaks

While the Red Sox’s winning streak may be over, it’s an important milestone in the team’s history. Here’s a look at the five longest winning streaks in the 2020s:

• 17 games, 2021 Cardinals
• 15 games, 2026 Red Sox
• 14 games, 2025 Brewers
• 14 games, 2022 Mariners
• 14 games, 2022 Braves

And if we extend the search to include all of the 2000s, there have been only three longer winning streaks than the one the Red Sox just completed. In 2017, the Cleveland Indians won 22 straight games from August 24 to September 14. The Oakland Athletics in 2002 famously won 20 straight games from August 13 to September 4. Then came the 2021 Cardinals, who won 17 straight games.

Interestingly, none of these teams went on to win the World Series. In fact, only the 2002 Giants made it to the World Series. The Red Sox, however, will look to change things up on that front, as they’ve already turned their season on its head with this run. They were 37-48 and looking like one of the biggest sellers for the upcoming trade deadline before the streak started. Now, with the streak having ended, the Red Sox are 52-49 and holding onto the third American League wild card spot.

The Red Sox’s Mark on History

While the streak may be over, the Red Sox’s mark on history and damage to the rest of the league have been done. They’ve drastically altered the trajectory of their season, and it will be interesting to see how they continue to perform in the coming weeks.