Jul 11, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) turns a double play as New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius (18) slides during the third inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Red Sox Players to Watch:
Xander Bogaerts (.304/.338/.411) is the hottest hitter on the Red Sox right now. He has hit in ten straight games, which have all come in July, at a ..396/.422/.465 clip, during which he has knocked in ten runs. Going back to the beginning of June, he is hitting .336 over that span. Hitting with runners in scoring position (RISP), which was the bugaboo of the offense earlier in the season, has been Bogaerts’ strength all season. A recent hot streak in that situation has given the Aruban shortstop a .392/.403/.541 batting line for the season with RISP. Bogaerts leads the team in hits, and is tied for second on the club in RBI, despite only hitting three home runs on the season.
A big question for the second half of the season is whether Dustin Pedroia (.306/.367/.452) will be able to come back from the hamstring injury that has sidelined him since June 24. This season has been Pedroia’s best offensively since 2011. The Laser Show has had something of a comeback season after two down seasons because of hand injuries that plagued him throughout these campaigns. Before his injury, Pedroia posted a .350/.402/.500 batting line in June. The Red Sox hope Pedroia can come back to a lineup that has been producing of late much better than earlier in the season.