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

By Rick McNair

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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ANAHEIM, CA – APRIL 18: Mitch Moreland #18 of the Boston Red Sox is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a two-run homerun during the ninth inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on April 18, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – APRIL 18: Mitch Moreland #18 of the Boston Red Sox is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a two-run homerun during the ninth inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on April 18, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Offense

Baseball is a numbers game and the numbers get increasingly notable with further refinement of metrics. But before climbing into the metrics rabbit hole is the most important number – winning games. Most wins in baseball.

The major accomplishment in the offseason was perking up the offense. Did that work? The Red Sox of 2017 were dead last in the American League in home runs.  The lineup was lethargic by Red Sox standards. No more. Offensively the Red Sox are scoring and hitting home runs.

The home runs are accumulating at a team record pace with new addition J.D. Martinez doing what was expected. Martinez apparently has energized the rest of the lineup with Mookie Betts especially being invigorated as Betts makes another run at AL Most Valuable Player.

The offense is ranked second in the AL with a 10.4 fWAR trailing behind you know who in New York. Take a stat traditional or metric and you will find the Red Sox leading or within statistical hailing distance – batting average, wOBA, wRC+, runs, home runs – quite an accomplishment based on 2017.

There is no reason why this should not continue and even possibly improve. This is an offensive juggernaut and it will be a fun summer as they blast away. The good news – very good news – is the Red Sox have the pitching to avoid a plethora of 12-10 games.

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