BoSox Injection
Fansided

Red Sox slump won’t lead to surrender of AL East division title

By Steve Atkinson

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - AUGUST 24: Manager Alex Cora #20 of the Boston Red Sox looks on from the dugout during the third inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on August 24, 2018 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. All players across MLB will wear nicknames on their backs as well as colorful, non-traditional uniforms featuring alternate designs inspired by youth-league uniforms. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - AUGUST 24: Manager Alex Cora #20 of the Boston Red Sox looks on from the dugout during the third inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on August 24, 2018 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. All players across MLB will wear nicknames on their backs as well as colorful, non-traditional uniforms featuring alternate designs inspired by youth-league uniforms. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Red Sox are in a bit of a slump. People are getting worried because they think it’s 1978 all over again but it’s not.

The Boston Red Sox have a six-game lead over the New York Yankees in the American League East. Boston has lost five of their last seven games. They are also 0-6 over the last two seasons on Players’ Weekend after getting swept by the Tampa Bay Rays.

However, the Red Sox have been winning all season it would be impossible for them to blow the division. The Yankees have injuries. Aaron Judge being out is a huge loss for them. If the Red Sox go 17-16 for the rest of the season, the Yankees would have to go 29-7 to win the division. It’s not happening. This is not 1978 or even 2011.

The 2011 Red Sox were a dysfunctional group who didn’t want to play for Terry Francona anymore. We won’t be seeing a September collapse like we did in 2011. The Red Sox are too good.

J.D. Martinez is having an MVP season with 38 home runs. Mookie Betts is having a great season with 27 home runs. Betts is in a slump right now but nothing to be worried about. The Red Sox have an off day on Monday before a two-game series at home against the Miami Marlins. They will then travel to Chicago to take on the White Sox.

More from Red Sox News

Boston plays the Atlanta Braves, Houston Astros, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, New York Yankees (twice), Cleveland Indians, and the Baltimore Orioles in the month of September. The Red Sox should have no problems with the Braves, Blue Jays, and Orioles. They have had the Yankees number all season, and the Astros should be a good series. They split their series with the Indians last week so the weekend of September 21 should be an interesting series to watch. The Yankees all season can’t seem to beat the bad teams.

The Red Sox have crushed bad competition all season. The Marlins and White Sox are a combined 54 games under 500. They should win both series with these teams.

Remember, Chris Sale is still on the disabled list. Who knows when he’ll be back but you know it will be in September. Eduardo Rodriguez will make his last rehab start on Monday. So questions about this team will be answered in the coming weeks about the rotation and the bullpen. When Steven Wright comes back you might just see him coming out of the bullpen which means less of Drew Pomeranz.

Yesterday, former Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Nathan Evoladi pitched against his old team. He didn’t pitch well. During his last four starts, he has a 7.41 ERA. Sale and David Price have a combined 0.77 ERA since the All-Star break. As long as Price keeps pitching the way he’s been pitching and Sale comes back strong they’ll be fine.

Next. Should fans want Price to opt out?. dark

The Red Sox are different from 2011 they have heart and want to play for Alex Cora. They will not be going 7-20 in the month of September. The Yankees aren’t catching them they have too many injuries. There is no Bucky Dent on that team.

Home/Red Sox News