Red Sox Strut: Three players honored?

The weekly article series where we examine the two players who deserve to strut their stuff for the Boston Red Sox. This week – it’s actually three!

Now to fully understand what the Red Sox Strut is, it means to have reason to walk with a confident, proud air around you. Some people mistake it for vanity, arrogance, or being pompous. This incorrect assumption is not what we mean. The Strut is about knowing that your deeds showed off your amazing skills to the baseball-loving public.

The Red Sox had a mediocre week overall, but are staying afloat near the top of the AL East as they chase the Blue Jays for the top spot. They went 3-4 in the seven games since the last Strut. For some odd reason, the pesky Tampa Rays have given Boston issues all season. They were only able to win two of the four games against them, but for the purposes of the Strut, they only had one victory over the Rays after losing the final two games of the series.

They didn’t fair too well against the defending World Series champs either. The Royals took two of three from the Sox and put up a total of 19 runs while doing it.

Fortunately, the Red Sox were able to get a bit of revenge on the Rays in Fenway Park on Monday night. They’ll look to get some momentum going as that series progresses this week before they head out to the west coast.

POSITIONAL PLAYER: Mookie Betts/David Ortiz

The Sox offense didn’t exactly have a great week. They only managed to put up a total of six runs in the three games against the Rays. They were better in the KC games, but still only had 15 total runs which isn’t that great considering they were able to tally eight runs in one of those games. The starting pitching has been better as of late, but they cannot afford to rely on that. The offense needs to get back on track this week.

Still, there were a couple of magnificent performers for Boston. We’ve some impressive streaks this season from the likes of Jackie Bradley Jr. and Xander Bogaerts, but let’s be honest – the most consistent players in the Sox lineup have clearly been the youngster Mookie Betts and the veteran David Ortiz. They were both pretty special last week.

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Let’s start with Mookie. He went a whopping 14-for-29 this week (that’s a ridiculous average of .483) including a huge game against the Royals in which he went 5-5 with 2 RBI. Once again, he had at least one hit in each of the last seven games. He also added another two homeruns to give him an incredible total of 30 on the season. After a slow first couple weeks of the season, Betts has been on a magnificent roll. When John Farrell moved him to the clean-up spot in the lineup, it didn’t slow him down or intimidate him at all. In fact, the team has clearly been reaping the benefits.

R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports is one of the latest analysts to discuss the possibility of Betts being awarded the team MVP. For now, he’ll have to settle for the Strut. But he’ll also have to share it will Big Papi.

Ortiz also had an impactful week. He went 7-for-24 (an average of .292) after sitting for the last game of the Tampa series (he did pinch hit and strike out to end that game). He also added four RBI and two huge homeruns – his 30^th and 31^st. The homerun in 4-3 loss to the Rays on Wednesday made him the oldest player ever to hit 30 homeruns. His 31^st homerun on Sunday against the Royals shot him up to 18^th on the all-time homerun list in a tie with Jimmie Foxx according to Christopher Smith on MassLive.com.

Both of these guys are currently doing their best to lead this team to the playoffs. Just like the chatter about Betts for MVP, Ortiz is also gaining some steam in that department as the Boston Globe’s Pete Abraham noted. They have been guiding this team both on and off the team and are the anchors of the lineup. Betts’ hustle and drive in the field are also important factors in his value to the team. ESPN’s Scott Lauber recently wrote a piece about how each of these guys are setting a new bar for what guys their age can accomplish, even though they are clearly on different ends of the spectrum.

They are the standard bearers for this 2016 Red Sox team, and for that reason they deserve to Strut. Hopefully, with continued success in the final weeks of the season, they can help push this team to play some October baseball and maybe one of them will even be recognized as the MVP of the AL.

PITCHER: Rick Porcello

Aug 29, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Rick Porcello (22) pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

Over the course of the last few weeks, the starting pitching has stabilized. However, the bullpen – that’s a whole other issue. They need to find some reliable arms and fast!

Clay Buchholz had an interesting week. He made his triumphant return (yes, that’s right) to the starting rotation against the Rays. He went just over six innings allowing just one run on five hits and two walks with nine strikeouts. But John Farrell decided that he’s more valuable in the bullpen and sent him back to help in relief. Buchholz had done fairly well in that role, despite a bit of a hiccup on Monday night.

Drew Pomeranz continues to get more comfortable in his Red Sox uniform. Although he would end with a loss, he only allowed two runs and put in another quality start.

David Price also continued his path toward being the ace of the staff. He had a big start against the Royals and earned the only victory of that series. He looks to have full command of his fastball and is baffling opposing hitters with his changeup. This is exactly what they need going forward.

A Strut honorable mention has to go to reliever Brad Ziegler. Despite the lack of defined rolls in the bullpen, Ziegler has found a way to be one of the more reliable guys for John Farrell. He’s had some bad outings, but he’s also gotten the Sox out of some key jams, especially over the course of the last week.

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Closer Craig Kimbrel has also improved over the last couple weeks. He’s seemed to have moved on a bit from the “heart attack” closer role that had Sox fans on the edge of their seats every time his number has been called.

Still, the honors this week will once again go to Rick Porcello. Porcello’s 2016 season has been quite the story. No one saw it coming. He has been the most consistent and efficient worker on the staff. This week was no different. He didn’t earn the win against the Rays the first game in Tampa, but it was definitely a quality start despite giving up nine hits and a big homerun in the eighth inning.

Then, on Monday night at Fenway, Porcello got his revenge. On the way to earning his MLB leading 18^th victory, he pitched another gem giving up just three runs on six hits and adding another seven strikeouts.

Next: Red Sox: Yoan Moncada could get a September call up

Porcello has been the one constant throughout the season for Boston in the rotation now that Steven Wright has been battling his shoulder injury. Red Sox fans are never more comfortable than when he is on the mound, dried sweat encrusted hat and all. Sure, he’s gotten the benefit of more run support than some of the other starters, but he’s also performed at a very high level. The Boston Herald’s Jason Mastrodonato said it best: “Porcello has made a compelling case to be the choice to start a one-game, do-or-die wild card game should the Sox have the luxury of lining up their rotation.” For now, Mr. Porcello can Strut!

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