Red Sox Review: Evaluating the first third of the 2018 season

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 05: Members of the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays stand for the national anthem before the Red Sox home opening game at Fenway Park on April 5, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 05: Members of the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays stand for the national anthem before the Red Sox home opening game at Fenway Park on April 5, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 19: Boston Red Sox owner John Henry celebrates with the trophy after they defeated the Detroit Tigers in Game Six of the American League Championship Series at Fenway Park on October 19, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox defeated the Tigers 5-2 to clinch the ALCS in six games. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 19: Boston Red Sox owner John Henry celebrates with the trophy after they defeated the Detroit Tigers in Game Six of the American League Championship Series at Fenway Park on October 19, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox defeated the Tigers 5-2 to clinch the ALCS in six games. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Boston Red Sox have just brushed past the one-third season marker with the best record in baseball. Now a look at the first two months and a glance into the future.

By the one-third marker for the season, you have some idea of the team you will have as you push to the season conclusion and a visit (hopefully) to the playoffs.  Boston after 56 games (through 5/30) has the best record in baseball. So – how do you like them now?

Despite having two 93 win seasons the Red Sox were unceremoniously tossed from the playoffs. Disappointment?  For the denizens of Red Sox Nation, it went well beyond that. In 2017, the team also was tepid. They seemed to lack spark and panache. Maybe it was the David Ortiz hangover? The Red Sox were – for want of a better expression – boring. The team had all the intensity of a sack race.

This season started with question marks and some still persist – expected of all teams. And by now some question marks have been answered, a few still remain, and some unknown(s) will invariably raise some pertinent issues on future success. I am not worried. I am all Alfred E. Neuman – the iconic Mad Magazine “What me worry” – character on 2018 season. The Red Sox will win 100+ games.

Schedule