Boston Red Sox have had a 2018 regular season for the ages
No matter what happens in the playoffs, the 108-win Red Sox have had a remarkable season, and it should be remembered as such.
The Boston Red Sox just finished a season in which they won a franchise record 108 games and won the AL East division with an eight-game lead over the hated New York Yankees. They have two legitimate MVP contenders, a fringe Cy Young contender, and experienced so many memorable moments.
They have clinched the best record in baseball and will either play the Yankees or Oakland A’s at Fenway Park, starting this Friday. Anything can happen in the playoffs, no matter the sport. There is always the chance that Boston will lose in the ALDS in an ugly fashion that will leave a bad taste in fans’ mouths. But that by no means denotes that this season should go down as a failure.
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The Red Sox have only won more than 100 games four times in their 117-year history, and the last time they won at least 100 was 72 years ago. So the milestone they set this season is an accomplishment to be celebrated for sure.
We need to remember that it was just 14 years ago that we Red Sox fans were happy to just be going to the playoffs again. Yes, the team has won three World Series in that time span, and two straight first-round exits are not ideal, but this year was still magical.
Mookie Betts led the league in average and fWAR while setting career-highs in home runs and doubles. He even tied Francisco Lindor for the league lead in runs scored, even though he played 22 fewer games. His season alone is worthy of celebrating.
J.D. Martinez came close to a Triple Crown, Xander Bogaerts flourished in his best season in the Majors, Andrew Benintendi showed that he is on the brink of stardom, Chris Sale continued to dominate, even through injuries, and David Price pitched in a way that is worthy of his contract.
Next. Red Sox players from the past seared in my negative memory. dark
This is a special team. They accomplished milestones that no other Red Sox team has. Of course, I would love to see a World Series win, but a loss in the playoffs is not the end of the world. I will always cherish the wild, beautiful, fun and downright thrilling ride that the 2018 regular season brought.