As the Boston Red Sox's pitching has faltered late in the season, their bats have had to pick up the slack.
Multiple Red Sox have been on a tear since their pitching slumped — Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela, Triston Casas and David Hamilton, for example. But none have been as hot as Masataka Yoshida.
Yoshida has been the Red Sox's most consistent hitter in August, and he ranks among some of the league's top talent in hits this month. The designated hitter is slashing .344/.419/.594 with a 1.013 OPS since Aug. 1. He's collected 24 hits, and only five players have more this month — three of them are Bobby Witt Jr., Aaron Judge and Marcell Ozuna.
Yoshida has seemingly found his power swing. He has four doubles and four homers in August, and he's been clutch. His latest blast was a two-run homer at Minute Maid Park to lift the Sox out of a 2-2 tie with the Astros. Unfortunately, the bullpen later cost Boston that game, but Yoshida struck when he was needed most.
Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida has been one of MLB's best hitters in August
Dear Masa,
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 17, 2024
THANK YOU!!! pic.twitter.com/USMQ8SyqiX
The 31-year-old made his presence known at Camden Yards during the Red Sox's third series with the Orioles this season. He racked up seven hits, four RBI, a homer and three walks en route to a series split with the AL East's toughest opponent.
Red Sox skipper Alex Cora has called his offense "elite" when Yoshida is as locked in as he's been, and that may be an understatement. Boston has the second-most hits in the league in August, behind only the Kansas City Royals and just ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks, who it'll face later this week.
Yoshida has looked like the player the Red Sox hoped he'd be when they signed him to a five-year contract before the 2023 slate. He's been consistent, clutch and has recently started to bring power to the lineup. If Yoshida can stay hot over the next few weeks, he could be key to getting his club to the postseason.