When the Boston Red Sox faced the Kansas City Royals at Fenway Park, they were able to keep young shortstop phenom Bobby Witt Jr. relatively quiet.
The Royals won the first game of the series, and it was Witt's biggest night. He contributed two hits, one was a homer, en route to Kansas City's 6-1 victory. But he collected just one hit in the two other games of the matchup.
On his home turf, though, Witt got the better of Boston. He went 6-for-13 on the series, including a 3-for-4 night against Kutter Crawford, who has struggled mightily in recent outings. The shortstop blasted two homers and a double in his three-hit night — Crawford gave up one long ball in the first inning and Josh Winckowski allowed the second one in the sixth inning.
This is a running pattern for Witt. The 24-year-old is slashing a staggering .349/.394/.606 with a 1.000 OPS on the season and he's been the most consistent hitter in the game this season. But his metrics at his home park of Kauffman Stadium are strikingly higher than his away stats.
Red Sox experienced Bobby Witt Jr.'s insane home and away splits firsthand
We've run out of things to say about Bobby Witt Jr.
— MLB (@MLB) August 8, 2024
Please enjoy yet another homer 🤯 pic.twitter.com/ofcdLC4jE7
Witt is slashing .409/.458/.736 with a 1.194 OPS at Kauffman Stadium and .288/.327/.472 with a .799 OPS everywhere else. Luckily, the Red Sox were able to keep Witt's offense minimal enough to take the season series and secure the tiebreaker against one of their most likely wild card competitors, because he's posting a season for the ages.
Despite Aaron Judge's near-inhuman home run pace, Witt makes an intriguing case for American League MVP. Much like Boston's Jarren Duran, he's started every single game this season and is a menace on the base paths. He's clocked 33 doubles, 10 triples, 22 homers, 25 stolen bases and 84 RBI. Judge has been considered a lock for the MVP award for months, but Witt is sure to receive some votes.