In the tapestry of Major League Baseball rivalries, Red Sox vs Astros might not yet rival the age-old feuds—but what it lacks in length, it makes up for in dramatic flair.
1. A Postseason Saga
Over the past decade, these two teams have collided in the playoffs three times—with each series delivering high stakes and fierce competition:
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2017 ALDS: The Astros triumphed 3–1, marking their first-ever postseason series win and laying the foundation for their 2017 World Series run Wikipedia.
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2018 ALCS: The Reds hit back decisively, dispatching Houston 4–1 en route to a World Series championship Wikipedia.
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2021 ALCS: Astros claimed the rematch, edging Boston 4–2 in a series shadowed by controversy WikipediaDiario AS.
2. Head-to-Head: Numbers Tell the Story
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Across all games, including regular season and playoffs, the Red Sox maintain a slight edge—52 wins to Houston’s 48 champsorchumps.us+1.
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In regular season play, Boston leads with a 45–40 advantage champsorchumps.us+1.
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Against the backdrop of the current season (2025), Boston has been dominant: in their three meetings this year, the Red Sox swept all games champsorchumps.us+1.
3. Beyond the Box Score: Drama, Redemption & Scandal
The clashes between these two teams can’t be described merely by wins and losses. They’re layered with storylines:
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Alex Cora’s arc—once bench coach for the 2017 Astros, then manager of the Red Sox in their 2018 championship, and at the center of both organizations’ sign-stealing scandals—adds a personal and dramatic undercurrent Diario AS+1.
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Recycling controversy into narrative: In a recent game, a benches-clearing moment—triggered by broadcaster Will Middlebrooks referencing Houston’s 2017 scandal—rekindled old tensions Houston Chronicle.
4. What’s Next? The Future of “Red Sox vs Astros”
It’s clear this rivalry is still young—yet it’s already delivered memorable postseason epics, compelling characters, and ongoing drama. With Boston’s resurgence and Houston’s staying power, the Red Sox vs Astros matchup is poised to grow even more significant in the years to come.
TL;DR:
The Red Sox vs Astros rivalry may lack long history, but every renewed meeting sparks drama worthy of classic rivalries—etched in postseason battles, personal story arcs, and those unforgettable, headline-making moments.