The Boston Red Sox are heading into the All-Star break with plenty of momentum. Will they be able to maintain it in the second half?
The All-Star break is upon us and it couldn’t come at a better time for the Red Sox. Boston finished up a road trip today with a sweep of the Tigers that saw them travel more than 7,700 miles over two continents. Though the London Series was a nightmare they answered right back by finishing the trip 5-1 against Toronto and Detroit. Now the team has much needed few days off to get rested up and mentally ready for the second half of the season.
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
Boston has seen their offense just explode recently and the runs have been plentiful. The pitching has been the big stressor this year and though it’s not lights out every night it has been better in the last few games. The Sox are now 8.0 games over .500 which is the largest that margin has been in the 2019 campaign. They also find themselves 9.0 games back in the AL East and just 2.0 games behind the Indians for the Wild Card.
Now that we’re approaching the ceremonial second half of the season, what will the Red Sox be as the year concludes? Things really feel like they’re beginning to turn in the favor of the Red Sox. I know, I know, most of you are going to yell at me through your screens about the London Series and the atrocious bullpen. And you’re damn right we can’t forget about those things, but not everything needs to be doom and gloom
We’ve got plenty to be positive about as we enter this All-Star break when it comes to this season. Michael Chavis has kicked in the door to the majors and has become a key member of this team for the foreseeable future. David Price is once again showing why he was worth every penny of his contract and is the anchor of this pitching staff. Rafael Devers is easily one of if not the most fun player to watch on a nightly basis. And Xander Bogaerts is making a hell of an argument for why he’s the best shortstop in the game today.
This season has more than enough time left in the hourglass for Boston to salvage and get to the postseason. The division may be out of reach but the Wild Card still gives you a shot at the big dance. Does anyone remember 2004? Yeah, the Wild Card was pretty damn cool that year.
So if that’s the route that gets the Red Sox to the postseason and to an opportunity at defending their championship then I’m more than cool with that. But what will this team offer up after the All-Star break? Are we going to see this momentum continue and a renewed fire from the defending champs or more of the same Jekyll/Hyde act?
It’s a difficult task for any of us to really try and predict. If the first half has told us anything it’s that we’ll get our hopes up just to have our hearts broken. When I look into the crystal ball though I do see the Rays falling off and Cleveland leveling out. This opens the door for Boston to get into that top tier of Wild Card contention.
A big benefit that the Red Sox have coming their way after the break is the fact that they will be playing 21 of their next 30 games at Fenway Park. With the extensive travel, they’ve had to endure lately having a strong slate of home cooking can be like a life preserver in choppy seas. Having that many home games not only gives the team extra opportunities to rest but it’ll also give Red Sox Nation a chance to give the team that extra motivation and fire.
This season hasn’t started the way that the Red Sox would’ve liked it to but things are looking up for Boston. With the All-Star break here and some time to hit the reset button, the Sox have a great chance to make a charge in the second half. Momentum is fully on the side of Boston and it’s up to them to ride that wave to the postseason.