Red Sox Strut: Outfielder Mookie Betts, RHP Hector Velazquez

Position Player who gets to Strut

While it may not be as thrilling as walking off with a win in extra-innings, Mookie Betts does get credit for a game-winning home run in the eighth inning against the Astros. When you have Craig Kimbrel warming in the bullpen, that’s as good as a walk-off. Once the ball cleared the fence off the bat of Betts, it was essentially game over.

Betts also had a two-homer game against the Phillies last week. That came as part of a four-hit performance where he was a triple short of the cycle. It was also the sixth time in his career that Betts has had a multi-home run game as the leadoff hitter, setting a new franchise record.

Name an offensive category and Betts was probably at or near the top of the list among Red Sox hitters last week. He went 12-for-31 (.387) to lead the team in hits and average. He also had the most doubles with four to go along with those team-high three homers. Only Bogaerts drove in more runs than the five that Betts delivered. He also swiped his 11th base of the season, putting him into the top-10 in the league in steals.

Some may look at the common stats such as batting average, home runs and RBI and suspect Betts has declined from last year when he was the runner-up for the MVP. He hasn’t. His 3.5 WAR is second in the American league and third in the majors. His sensational defense in right field helps boost his value. Now that his power is starting to come around, it won’t be long until his offensive numbers are back in line with the territory he ascended to last year.