Expectations Weighing Down the Red Sox

Before the 2011 season began, there was a debate within Red Sox nation and in the broader community about whether this team would reach the 100 win plateau. Before a single pitch was thrown, people were donning the Red Sox the prohibitive World Series favorite and this team took that all in stride, or so we thought. Now, 4 games in, the Sox are struggling to produce on offense and their pitching staff can’t keep the opponent off the board. The team seemed calm and realistic during the spring, but are the expectations of 100 wins and a World Series title bogging this team down? Spoiler Alert: Yes.

The seemingly chill Boston Red Sox have looked anything but comfortable. In the batter’s box, hitters have been impatient and swung early in counts, allowing opposing pitchers to get easy outs and settle into their outings. The pitching staff has been trying to force pitches and aim, instead of relying on their stuff and just throwing the baseball. There is no 1 group of players or coaches to blame so far this season, everyone has had their struggles and appears to be pressing just a bit too much. The good news? The team knows where their issues rest, they just need to take a few deep breaths and get a good win to regain confidence.

Many have pointed out that an 0-4 start puts the Red Sox in an unenviable position with history against them. That being said, breaking historical trends is nothing new to the Fenway faithful. Does anyone remember the 2004 ALCS? I am not worried about this team just yet, but do think they need to relax a bit, stop pressing, and get a big win tonight. The longer they mentally psych themselves out, the harder it will be for them to develop chemistry and confidence. The beauty of baseball is the long 162-game season, allowing anything to happen. If this team begins to click and can start to string together strong outings, good luck to their opponents.

Another great point was made after the opening series in Texas. Throughout a season, every team loses 3 or 4 games in a row during certain stretches. This one is amplified because it is right out of the gate, but it isn’t that awful or unusual. Sometimes struggles can bring a team together, leading to greater things in the future. Just look at the 2 NCAA Men’s Basketball finalists this year in UConn and Butler. Both struggled in the middle of the season, but banded together to achieve something special when it mattered most down the stretch. Different sport, but the same concept of a team bonding together during tough times will hopefully apply to this Red Sox team.

Now, each game becomes crucial. A win tonight would put the team on the right track, with an opportunity to be 3-4 entering the home opener, a respectable record. A loss would continue to drive the team into a deeper rut, both mentally and in the eyes of the media. Expectations are still high, but some people are moving their hands closer to the panic button. In a poll of panic level after the opening series in Texas, 50% of you said you were just a little panicked. I have a feeling we are experiencing a shift with each passing day (and loss), getting closer to the complete panic end of the spectrum. 4 down, 158 to go…now is the time for the team to show us their real strength.

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