The Boston Red Sox went into the All-Star break at 11 games over .500, their best record of the season.
Things have been looking up for Red Sox Nation — Boston took two series from the Yankees and beat the Royals, the squad just behind them in the wild card standings, as the final series before the break.
Boston's schedule wasn't easy to begin with, but it's about to get even harder. According to Fangraphs, the Red Sox have the most difficult schedule after the All-Star break. The Yankees, who sit just ahead of the Sox in the American League East standings and own the first wild card spot, have one of the easiest remaining slates.
The Twins, Astros and Royals are all battling for wild card spots alongside the Red Sox, and their remaining schedules are on the easier end of the spectrum. If Boston hopes to keep up with its competitors, an aggressive approach at the trade deadline will be key.
MLB remaining strength of schedule
— BrooksGate (@Brooks_Gate) July 17, 2024
(via fangraphs) pic.twitter.com/BMWxSpFW63
Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow suggested that the front office needs to explore opportunities to improve the team for the second half of the campaign — Boston will likely be a buyer before this year's trade deadline. He previously highlighted a starting pitcher and right-handed bat as areas of interest, and the Sox will need both to stay competitive.
The Red Sox have the most difficult second-half schedule. Their trade deadline additions will make or break their season.
The Sox's recently-hot offense has kept them in the race for a postseason spot. MLB insider Bob Nightengale reported that the Red Sox have the AL's best winning percentage but fourth-highest ERA since May 19. Boston's bats have kept it in games, and adding a right-handed bat to diversify the order will be integral to maintaining its summer success.
The Red Sox will also need to add another arm to the rotation, preferably a lefty. Boston's rotation is all right-handed, and many of its hurlers are approaching or past their career-high innings pitched in a single season. Tanner Houck has already pitched 11 innings more than his career-high and Kutter Crawford is 17 innings away from his 2023 total. A durable, left-handed arm with postseason experience would be the best-case scenario addition for the Sox, but impact starters will be in high demand before July 30.
The Red Sox have two series against the Yankees, Orioles and Rangers and one series against the Royals and Twins ahead of them. Each squad will be in the hunt for a playoff spot and have easier remaining slates than Boston. If the Red Sox hope to stay in the running for a wild card spot, they need to address their weaknesses, fast.