Fansided

MLB Standings Watch: Boston Red Sox are rolling

By Sean Penney |
1 of 5
Next

It wasn’t long ago that the Boston Red Sox were being left for dead after falling to as many as ten games back in the rather mediocre AL East. What a difference one good week can make.

The Red Sox have won three straight and seven of their last nine to cut their divisional deficit in half. With the division leading New York Yankees coming to town this weekend, Boston will have a chance to close the gap even further heading into the All-Star break.

A great deal of credit for this resurgence goes to three young stars hitting at the top of the order.

Brock Holt was a surprising choice to represent the Red Sox in this year’s All-Star game, but a deserving one. His numbers don’t really stand out, since he’s not contending for a batting title and doesn’t hit for power or steal many bases, so his performance has been flying under the radar. Now he’s finally getting the recognition he deserves. The Brock Star is 9th in the league with a .381 OBP and his 3.1 WAR is the 11th best. A great deal of his value comes from his versatility, which has allowed him to seamlessly slide into various positions, making him a better fit coming off the bench for the All-Star team ahead of some players with flashier numbers.

Xander Bogaerts has become one of the latest casualties of the ridiculous fan voting process. The 22-year old leads all AL shortstops in RBI (40), OPS (.759) and WAR (2.6). There’s no doubt that he should make the team, but over zealous Royals fans landed Alcides Escobar the starting spot. Bogaerts can still make the squad by winning the fan vote for the final spot, but he will have to contend with Royals fans dominating the voting process again by selecting Mike Moustakas.


We can put Mookie Betts in the same boat, considering the Royals managed to get two of their outfielders voted in as starters. Betts is one of only five players in the league with at least 9 home runs and double-digit steals, putting him on pace to challenge for his first career 20-20 season. He is also 6th in the league with a 4.0 WAR, putting him just ahead of starter Lorenzo Cain of the Royals.

Bogaerts and Betts are a pair of talented 22-year olds that will likely end up on several All-Star teams in the future. It’s a shame they may not make it this year, but their primary concern is helping the Red Sox get back in the playoff race.

Jun 24, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira (25) hits a RBI single against the Philadelphia Phillies in the fourth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

AL East Standings
(Division standings as of Wednesday morning)

Jul 5, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher

Wade Davis

(17) delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the eighth inning at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Rising
(American League team gaining momentum)

Kansas City Royals: Their lead in the Central division took a slight hit when they dropped two out of three games to the Minnesota Twins last week, but the Royals recovered by winning three straight to extend their lead in the division back to 4.5 games.

More from Red Sox News

The fan voting results didn’t end up being quite as preposterous as once feared, but the Royals still ended up with four starters and a total of six All-Stars. They will have a chance to make it seven by voting in Moustakas for the final spot, which would make Royals players account for about 20 percent of the roster.

We all know how most of those players made the roster, but let’s talk about the two that weren’t voted in by the fans. The players selected Wade Davis, who has surrendered only 1 earned run in 37.0 innings for an insane 0.24 ERA, while striking out 41 batters. As the manager of the reigning AL Champions, Ned Yost was able to add another one of his guys from the bullpen. Kelvin Herrera is having a fine season, posting a 2.14 ERA and striking out 36 batters in 33.2 innings. There are other pitchers that are more deserving of an All-Star spot, but considering Kansas City has the best bullpen in the majors it’s fair for Yost to reward one of his most trusted relievers.

Jul 3, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher

Chris Archer

(22) pitches against the New York Yankees during the third inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Falling
(American League team that is struggling)

Tampa Bay Rays: They went from leading the division to being stuck just as close to the bottom as they are to the top. Tampa has gone into a tailspin, losing 9 of their last 10 games to drop to .500 on the season with a -8 run differential.

More from BoSox Injection

The Rays will send two pitchers to the All-Star game. Chris Archer has been one of the league’s most dominant starters, posting a 2.18 ERA that ranks second in the league, while recording the third most strikeouts with 141.

Then there is Brad Boxberger, who was somehow selected despite leading one of the worst bullpens in the league. His 3.55 ERA and 1.39 WHIP don’t seem like All-Star quality numbers. Save totals are overrated, but ranking fourth in the league in the category could have earned him the nod. If that were the case, why wasn’t Koji Uehara selected when he is tied with Boxberger in that category and has better overall numbers?

Jul 6, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Houston Astros right fielder

Preston Tucker

(20) celebrates his solo home run with shortstop

Carlos Correa

(1) in the fourth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Playoff Outlook
(Division leaders and teams holding a Wild Card spot in the American League)

AL East: New York Yankees (44-39)
AL Central: Kansas City Royals (48-33)
AL West: Houston Astros (49-37)
Wild Card: Los Angeles Angels (45-38)
Wild Card: Minnesota Twins (45-39)

Next
Home / Red Sox News

Schedule