​Can Red Sox Win World Series? Boston Gets Backing From Franchise Legend in All-Star Game Prediction originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Red Sox’s scorching-hot finish to the first half of the season has restored faith in Boston — and a franchise legend agrees.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHall of Famer and three-time World Series champion David Ortiz was put on the spot after the 2026 MLB All-Star Game to predict this year’s champion. His pick? The Boston Red Sox.The Boston legend, who had 483 home runs and 1,530 RBIs in a Red Sox uniform — setting a franchise record with eight seasons with 30/100 tallies — has faith in the Red Sox heading into the second half, and he’s not alone.The Red Sox’s nine-game winning streak has them 0.5 games back of a playoff spot entering the second half, and as “Big Papi” claimed, it’s time to buy in.After the American League defeated the National League 4-0 in the 2026 MLB All-Star Game, the first Midsummer Classic shutout in 13 years, the FOX desk analysts were asked their World Series prediction.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementStanding between two Yankee legends in Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter, “Big Papi” received a Red Sox helmet and said Boston will make the 2026 World Series.”My Red Sox are coming back,” Ortiz said. “We won nine games in a row! We’re going to go to the trade deadline, we’re going to pick some players, and we’re going to go to the World Series.”The Red Sox enter the second half of the 2026 MLB season in prime position to make a run for the postseason. Boston rode a massive nine-game winning streak directly into the break, leaving them just half a game out of a playoff position.RankTeamW-LPCTGBWC1New York Yankees54–42.563+6.5WC2Cleveland Guardians51–46.526+3.0WC3Minnesota Twins48–49.495—WC3Seattle Mariners48–49.495—5Boston Red Sox46–48.4890.56Houston Astros47–51.4801.57Baltimore Orioles46–51.4742.08Toronto Blue Jays45–51.4692.59Detroit Tigers44–52.4583.510Athletics41–55.4276.511Kansas City Royals38–59.39210.012Los Angeles Angels38–59.39210.0Currently, the spot is held by the Minnesota Twins and Seattle Mariners, but Boston is right there. After a slow start to the season, Chad Tracy and co. are looking to use a strong first half to continue rolling.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHere is Boston’s upcoming schedule for the rest of July.DateOpponentTime (ET)July 17 (Game 1)vs. Rays1:35 p.m.July 17 (Game 2)vs. Rays7:10 p.m.July 18vs. Rays4:10 p.m.July 19vs. Rays1:35 p.m.July 20vs. Orioles7:10 p.m.July 21vs. Orioles7:10 p.m.July 22vs. Orioles7:10 p.m.July 24vs. Blue Jays7:10 p.m.July 25vs. Blue Jays4:10 p.m.July 26vs. Blue Jays1:35 p.m.July 27@ Athletics9:40 p.m.July 28@ Athletics9:40 p.m.July 29@ Athletics9:40 p.m.July 30@ Athletics9:40 p.m.July 31@ Dodgers10:10 p.m.Latest Red Sox news2026 Red Sox schedule2026 Red Sox rosterComplete history of Red Sox championships