Red Sox rookie manager Alex Cora off to historic start

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BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 09: Andrew Benintendi #16 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with Mookie Betts #50 after hitting a two-run home run in the fifth inning against the Houston Astros during game four of the American League Division Series at Fenway Park on October 9, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Boston is getting it done on both sides of the game. They lead the league in runs scored, batting average and OPS. Home runs were their Achilles heel last year yet they currently rank fourth in the league with 22. That includes four grand slams after they failed to tally any in 2017.

The pitching has been equally as dominant. The Red Sox staff ranks second in the league with a collective 2.66 ERA and third with a 1.11 WHIP. The starting rotation has been even better, producing a major-league best 1.91 ERA and 14 quality starts.

The bullpen gets a bad rap for blowing a win for Chris Sale in the first game of the season. However, their core of relievers hasn’t really been bad. Boston’s bullpen ranks seventh in the AL with a 3.74 ERA. Their third-ranked 3.00 FIP suggests they have been better than their ERA. Boston relievers have combined for 1.0 fWAR, second best in the league.

The lineup has survived a slow start from Andrew Benintendi and a disabled list stint from Xander Bogaerts. The starting rotation was missing Drew Pomeranz and Eduardo Rodriguez to begin the season. The bullpen will get strong with the return of Tyler Thornburg, while Carson Smith will eventually get back on track after missing most of 2017.

It’s impossible for any team to keep up this current pace but there are reasons to believe the Red Sox will improve enough if some areas to offset at least some regression from those off to blistering starts.

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