The Boston Red Sox are suffering when it comes to offense. The opportunities are there, but they simply aren’t capitalizing on the chances in front of them.
Another series has come and gone and once again the Red Sox have been severely underwhelming on offense. There have been glimpses here and there over the course of the season so far but nothing resembling the team we’re familiar with.
During their World Series campaign in 2018, the Red Sox exhibited a high level of self-control and patience when it came to their work at the plate. This led to numerous clutch 2-out hits as well as using walks as an offensive weapon. Neither of those disciplines has been shown so far in 2019 and it’s ending the season before it can even start.
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The Red Sox had an amazing chance this week to gain some steam in the AL East and to make their move towards the top of the division. A much needed 10-game homestand has so far gone 2-4 with a trio of games against the A’s starting tomorrow. In the six games so far in this stretch, the Sox have scored 27-18. That should have brought this team to more wins than losses. Unfortunately, a majority of those runs came in just two of the games.
The big story coming in this homestand besides the awful record has been the wasted opportunities. During this current homestand, Boston has left an insane 46 runners on base. 46! It’s great that they’ve scored 27 runs but there could have and should have been many more. Too often, we’re seeing guys trying to swing for Lansdowne St. with one hit and then moments later are walking back to the dugout. Or they’re first pitch swinging after a pitcher hasn’t been able to find the strike zone. It’s just inexcusable.
The 2018 Red Sox will be remembered for being a powerhouse offense that made any and every pitcher pay for their mistakes. The 2019 team will be remembered for allowing pitchers to slip out of the guillotine just as the blade was coming down. Game after game we are seeing too much hero ball instead of the smart baseball that delivered a Commissioner’s Trophy last October.
At this time I don’t think anyone has any answers to the questions that are being asked. I think it’s safe to say that everyone in that clubhouse is just as frustrated, perplexed, and downright pissed at how this season has gone. I have all the faith in the world that Alex Cora will get this team back on track. His message is still there and it’s clear that the guys are still bought into AC, but the message just needs to be remembered.
The hits will come, that I have no doubt in. Boston has one of the absolute best lineups from top to bottom as far as the bat is concerned. We’ve seen glimmers of the power and skill with this team in recent at-bats from Andrew Benintendi, Michael Chavis, J.D. Martinez, and reigning MVP Mookie Betts. But the patience and plate discipline is what I worry may get lost in the shuffle.
The Red Sox earned 29 walks in the last week. They had 29 free shots at the basepaths and couldn’t capitalize. So 29 of those 46 LOB were freebies that were given to them. That is what frustrates me the most with this team right now. Teams are literally giving them open chances to take shots and they’re pulling their punches.
We all know that this team has every component needed to be great; they’ve already shown us that. In order to succeed and defend their crown, they’ll need to get back to the basics that allowed them to take the throne in the first place. If they can start showing that plate discipline that we’ve seen them use in the past, then May can be a very good month for the Red Sox. The talent, skill, and hard work are all there it’s just a matter of remembering how to put the puzzle together.