Red Sox are on a heater going into the All-Star break

Boston holds one of the three AL wild-card spots and are just three games behind the first-place Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East as the division at large heats up (only the last place Baltimore Orioles are currently below the .500 mark).

Also of note is the team's record since dealing away star third baseman Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants. Boston is 16-9 since the deal, largely thanks to the emergence of top prospect outfielder Roman Anthony (hitting .373 over his last 15 games), unheralded role players like infielder Romy Gonzalez (.946 OPS) and center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela (hitting .337 over his last 30 games), and strong pitching from Cy Young candidate Garrett Crochet (2.23 ERA). 

But can the good times keep rolling in Boston? That'll depend on how the Red Sox' front office operation led by Craig Breslow views its on-field product. The next two weeks leading up to the trade deadline will be crucial in that regard. 

If Boston decides to buy, expect it to target players with years of control (think right-handed pitchers like Sandy Alcantara, Emmanuel Clase, Mitch Keller or Joe Ryan, for example) as it continues to build towards sustainable contention with a young core. Emptying out a top farm system for rentals like third baseman Eugenio Suarez or right-hander Zac Gallen would be too aggressive for this season.

However, if the Red Sox choose to sell, players like outfielder Jarren Duran and closer Aroldis Chapman come to mind. Duran is more expendable these days thanks to the emergence of the aforementioned Anthony and Rafaela, while Chapman's strong season (17 saves, 1.18 ERA) and expiring contract could make him a highly-coveted trade chip this month. 

Regardless of which direction Boston takes, though, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: The Red Sox will be a team to watch this summer, beginning with a marquee series out of the All-Star break against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field starting on Friday.