Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley heating up

More from Red Sox News

• Red Sox Nation deserves far more from Fenway Sports Group
• Bizarre trade deadline comes back to haunt Red Sox after Nathan Eovaldi departure
• Red Sox’ Moneyball-style offseason continues with Corey Kluber contract
• Rich Hill’s Red Sox departure puts him within striking distance of unique MLB record
• Red Sox offseason takes another nasty hit with Nathan Eovaldi departure

There is bound to be a bit less skepticism now that it’s happening again. Bradley got off to a slow start again this season, but he has recovered quickly to resemble the hitter he was last August. A week ago Bradley was in a slump that sent his batting average sinking toward the Mendoza Line, but since then he’s 10 for his last 27 at the plate (.370), raising his season average to a respectable .272 heading into Sunday night’s game.

Bradley has been through this before. People have been ready to count him out, claiming he’d never hit enough to be an everyday player for the Red Sox, but he quieted his critics last summer and he’s doing so again. While there may have been some that were ready to give up on him, manager John Farrell was not among them. The support from his manager helped Bradley build confidence, which has helped get him back on track.

"“It’s still early, and I felt like I was putting together some good at-bats.” Bradley recalled thinking to himself during his early season struggles, according to CSNNE.com. “I hit some balls really hard, but they just happened to be right (into) the shift. Normally, balls I hit up the middle are hits but if somebody’s playing there, oh well. You just keep swinging it and hopefully, things start turning around.”"

Next: Staying confident