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Three steps the Red Sox must take to return to the World Series

By Brendan Mizgala

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Christian Vazquez #7 jumps into the arms of Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox to celebrate their 5-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Five to win the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Christian Vazquez #7 jumps into the arms of Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox to celebrate their 5-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Five to win the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 23: Andrew Benintendi #16 of the Boston Red Sox at bat during a game against the San Diego Padresat PETCO Park on August 23, 2019 in San Diego, California. Teams are wearing special color schemed uniforms with players choosing nicknames to display for Players’ Weekend. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

3: Rediscover patience at the plate

Boston’s offense was a nightmare for opposing pitchers in 2018 and sadly it didn’t live up to the hype in 2019. Though they were still one of the strongest offenses in the league they lacked the killer instinct that carried them through the World Series. The 2019 squad would see increases in the major offensive categories for most of the season except for two: runs and RBI.

This was an area that they had zero issues last year as it felt like anytime someone got on base it was just a matter of time before they crossed home plate. I just never got that feeling this season unless Rafael Devers or Xander Bogaerts were batting.

During their historic run last season, the Red Sox were dangerous during every phase of the at-bat. It didn’t matter if they were up by a dozen or in the hole they would attack with every chance they had. Their biggest weapon was patience, and that wasn’t something that carried over into 2019.

Their bats were hotter than a bonfire and with that ability to make pitchers work they were unstoppable. There were far too many times this season where guys were swinging at pitches that weren’t even in the same area code. That just can’t happen if Boston wants to see the Fall Classic in 2020.

No matter the pitcher if the Red Sox got to two outs and had some strikes on the board they somehow got even stronger. They need to rediscover that zen if they want to become dangerous again in 2020. If Boston once again becomes that team that will fight tooth and nail while at the plate, they’ll be hard to beat.

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