The Boston Red Sox entered the second half of the season as one of the hottest teams in MLB with a record 11 games above .500.
The Red Sox have dropped below .500 with 11 games remaining. They're in serious danger of finishing the campaign below the Rays, who have been in fourth place in the American League East for most of the year.
There are a lot of factors at play in Boston's late-season crumble. Lackluster offense has plagued the Sox for weeks, but bullpen struggles have been the common denominator in most of their second-half losses — a historically significant number of them.
Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reported that Boston's 2024 bullpen collapse is the team's worst since the inaugural All-Star Game in 1933. The Red Sox have blown an MLB-leading 15 saves and the 'pen has allowed a staggering 7.3 runs per nine innings since the second half began. Sox relievers have posted a 6.21 ERA since the break.
Skipper Alex Cora said he thinks Boston's relievers haven't executed like they did in the first half. While that may be true, the Red Sox also experienced a slew of injuries to key relievers at the worst time. Chris Martin and Justin Slaten, two critical setup men, spent over a month on the injured list with elbow issues between July and August.
Red Sox's second-half bullpen implosion is the worst since the inaugural All-Star Game in 1933
Red Sox bullpen meltdown is the worst in team history.https://t.co/SMczYCivsj
— Boston Globe Sports (@BGlobeSports) September 18, 2024
The Sox acquired two relievers at the trade deadline and both fell injured quickly. Luis García and Lucas Sims made 11 appearances, each before they were moved to the IL with elbow inflammation and a lat strain, respectively. Neither pitcher adapted well after they were traded to Boston, and Craig Breslow's deadline plans didn't seem like they'd work out even without the injuries.
Brennan Bernardino and Cam Booser, two of the Red Sox's few lefties, have also spent time on the IL during the push for a Wild Card spot. Every team experiences injuries down the stretch, but Boston's already-stressed bullpen keeled over at a critical time for the team's postseason dreams.
The Red Sox's bullpen implosion has revealed a need for experienced, durable relievers for the future. If the Sox sign another starter this winter — which they should absolutely do — Cooper Criswell could move to the 'pen and eat some innings for the later arms. Liam Hendriks should be fully healthy and ready to go out of the closer role next season. Zach Penrod, Luis Guerrero and Richard Fitts have all earned valuable big-league experience.
But Boston needs more than what it already has. An aggressive approach in free agency will be key to avoiding another August and September meltdown by the Red Sox.