Five takeaways from the first week of Red Sox baseball
If the first week of spring training games are any indication, the Boston Red Sox are going to be an absolute machine this season. The Sox have gotten off to a roaring 6-1 start, the best record in baseball. The pitching has been absolutely fantastic, allowing just 11 runs over the first six games before a blow-up on Thursday, while the offense has gotten more than enough timely hits.
Yes, I know what you’re thinking: The wins and losses of Grapefruit League baseball have no impact on the regular season. Pitchers are trying to regain the feel of their pitches, while hitters are just trying to find their timing at the plate. The actual statistics of spring training are low on the priority list, especially for established big leaguers.
Just because the overall results of the game might be meaningless, however, doesn’t mean that we can’t learn things from spring training. Whether it be an adjustment at the plate or on the mound or a fringe player showing marked improvements, spring training could provide hints at what’s ahead in the regular season.
Let’s take a look at my five takeaways from the first week of Red Sox baseball.