It’s onward and upward for the Boston Red Sox, who are surging in the latest power rankings by MLB.com. The updated poll, which came out before Monday’s 7-6 loss to the Houston Astros, has the Red Sox jumping up from No. 11 to No. 8.

“The young players are getting most of the attention for the Red Sox’s recent surge, but don’t overlook what Alex Bregman has been up to,” MLB.com’s Will Leitch wrote Monday . “He was unstoppable against the Padres this weekend and is now slashing .364/.462/.568 over his last 12 games.

“The Red Sox are getting what they paid for, though because of that opt-out looming, it sure looks like they’re just going to get it for one season,” Leitch added.

Bregman continued his hot hitting Monday, slamming a two-run home run in his first at-bat back in Houston

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