The Red Sox are stuck in 2018 and it’s hurting them at the beginning of the 2019 season. It’s time to move on from past success and focus on the present.
The 2018 Boston Red Sox was something special. It started with them having the best record in spring training. Then they began the regular season by going 17-2 in their first 19 games. Boston went on to win 108 games and the World Series.
Fast forward a year later and the Red Sox are 3-8 to begin the season. It’s pretty much the same team as last year but something’s different. The team is still on 2018 and hasn’t turned the page yet to 2019. Pretty soon it’s going to catch up with them if they don’t start being focused on this season. Last season was great but it’s time to move on.
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
The ring ceremony has a different feel to it now after this slow start. Having to start on the road shouldn’t be an excuse for having such a poor record. All I’ve heard is the Sox bringing up what they did in October which also isn’t an excuse to start off on the wrong foot for 2019. The starting pitching has been sub-par at best and so has the hitting.
The only excuse I give them is with their starting pitchers. During the postseason we saw Chris Sale, David Price, Nathan Eovaldi, and Rick Porcello come into games late for relief. That was because of a weak bullpen. It worked, however, it’s hurting them to begin the season. They won the World Series on October 28, which means they had less than four months to get their arms the rest they needed to start spring training. It also didn’t help that the starters didn’t get enough starts in spring training so when the season started they weren’t ready. You’re not going to see starters come into relief during the regular season – that doesn’t happen. If they had a decent bullpen the starters wouldn’t have worn their arms out in the playoffs.
Alex Cora said he doesn’t believe in World Series hangovers but this team is clearly not the team they were a year ago. This time around they have nothing to play for so there’s no drive. It seems the attitude is they’ll easily get to 100-plus wins like last year and win the World Series. The only way they do that is by putting last year in the past and focusing on this year.
The Patriots do it the best, as almost every year they make the Super Bowl. Win or lose, they put the following year behind them and focus on the upcoming season. This is what the Sox need to do last year was last year this is a new season.