In a stunning reversal of fortunes, the Boston Red Sox find themselves closing in on the once-dominant New York Yankees, as their epic slide continues. With a remarkable 18-7 run, the Red Sox have narrowed the gap between the two teams to just 3.5 games, after the Yankees led by a whopping 14 games on June 12.

On Tuesday night, Boston solidified their rising position by defeating the Athletics 12-9, reaching a season-high 10 games over .500. Meanwhile, the Yankees' woes continued with a discouraging 5-3 loss to the Rays.

Red Sox manager, Alex Cora, has been urging his front office to strengthen the team's roster, seizing the opportunity that has presented itself. "We talked about being greedy a few weeks ago, we saw a window (in the standings), but I think the window is getting bigger," Cora stated optimistically.

Cora's plea was initially made on June 26 when the Red Sox were at 43-37 and the Yankees' downhill journey began. At that time, Cora exclaimed, "Let's get greedy. There's teams ahead of us that, they're not playing good baseball. Let's not settle for the third Wild Card. Let's go higher, and see where the season takes us."

Currently, the Red Sox sit just 1.5 games behind the fifth-seeded Minnesota Twins and are in striking distance of the Yankees for the fourth seed. They also hold a two-game lead over the Kansas City Royals for the third and final wild-card spot.

This impressive surge has put Boston in a prime position to be buyers in the trade market. However, it remains to be seen whether owner John Henry will take a more assertive approach after Boston's recent decline from the upper echelons of baseball.

Chief baseball officer, Craig Breslow, will likely evaluate the team's needs, including late-inning relievers, bench upgrades, and rotation depth. These acquisitions could provide the necessary boost for the Red Sox to further close the gap and secure a playoff berth.

As the first half of the season draws to a close, the forthcoming series against the Royals could prove pivotal for the Red Sox. With their sights set on the Yankees, Cora and his team are determined to maintain their winning momentum and see just how far they can go.

The tables have turned in this fierce AL East rivalry, and all eyes will now be on the Red Sox as they continue their remarkable push towards the top.