Red Sox stars J.D. Martinez, Mookie Betts have been quietly effective in World Series

Boston Red Sox stars J.D. Martinez and Mookie Betts have been producing in the World Series but we’re still waiting for the MVP-caliber breakout.

We expected the Boston Red Sox would need strong performances from their superstars in order to win the World Series. J.D. Martinez and Mookie Betts, coming off outstanding seasons that will place them in the thick of the MVP race, have been solid in this series but they haven’t been the story.

The two stars have great numbers through the first two games of the World Series, combining for seven hits, four RBI and four runs scored. They certainly aren’t struggling, yet they aren’t carrying the team either.

The supporting cast has been stepping up to grab the headlines. Andrew Benintendi‘s four-hit game, Rafael Devers extending his postseason RBI streak, and the game-sealing three-run homer by Eduardo Nunez. Those stories were the talk of the town following Game 1. That was followed by David Price pitching a gem in Game 2 to give him perhaps the most surprising two-game postseason winning streak in franchise history.

Through it all, Martinez and Betts have remained quietly effective. Each has contributed in both games of this series yet neither is the frontrunner for World Series MVP.

Martinez is 3-for-7 (.429) with four RBI in the series. He knocked in a pair of runs in both games, including the winning runs in the fifth inning of Game 2. He’s been great but there’s nothing epic about his performance. The team leader in home runs hasn’t gone deep in this series. An RBI double to put Boston ahead in the third inning of Game 1 is his only extra-base hit so far.

Sure, he drove in the winning runs last night but it wasn’t a laser in the gap. He simply shortened his swing to take an inside fastball to the opposite field with the bases loaded, plopping a base hit in front of the right fielder. It’s not the type of mammoth shot that will cycle endlessly through highlight reels but it’s certainly effective.

Betts is 4-for-8 (.500) with a double and has scored three of Boston’s 12 runs in the series.

More from Red Sox News

• Red Sox Nation deserves far more from Fenway Sports Group
• Bizarre trade deadline comes back to haunt Red Sox after Nathan Eovaldi departure
• Red Sox’ Moneyball-style offseason continues with Corey Kluber contract
• Rich Hill’s Red Sox departure puts him within striking distance of unique MLB record
• Red Sox offseason takes another nasty hit with Nathan Eovaldi departure

He only had one hit in Game 1 yet it put Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw on the ropes early. Betts hit a seemingly harmless flair to shallow center to lead off the first inning, only to quickly turn into a threat by stealing second on the next pitch. That put him in position to score on the first of Benintendi’s four hits.

Betts collected three hits in Game 2. Two of them, including his lone double of the series, didn’t amount to anything. The other was sandwiched between a Christian Vazquez single and a Benintendi walk, which set up Martinez to come through with his bases-loaded hit.

The Dave Roberts steal and Curt Schilling‘s bloody sock in 2004. J.D. Drew‘s $70 million grand slam in 2007. David Ortiz sending Torii Hunter head over heels into the bullpen with Boston cop Steven Horgan celebrating behind him. These postseason moments are ingrained in our memories. Martinez and Betts have been great but they haven’t provided us with one of these signature moments.

At least not yet. The Red Sox are two wins away from being champions. If each of their MVP candidates can put on a show-stealing performance to carry the team, that could be the two wins they need right there.