The Boston Red Sox opened their 2024 season with 10 games on the West Coast and they shot off to the second-best record in the American League East after the trip.
The Sox posted two series wins and a split on their jaunt across the country. After the minimal offensive presence in its series against the Oakland A's, Boston needed a lift at the plate to beat Mike Trout and his Angels. The Red Sox's offensive production improved across the roster, but three Sox in particular had their bats wake up in a big way.
Tyler O'Neill mashed his way to the top of MLB's home run leaderboard in Anaheim — he's now tied with Mookie Betts with five long balls on the season. He's been part of a lot of the Red Sox's offense in the opening weeks of the year, but not like he was against the Angels.
In Boston's April 5 game against the Angels, O'Neill crushed a home run to open a three-homer second inning for the Sox. Later that game, O'Neill drilled another four-bagger to give his squad an insurance run and the fifth Sox homer of the contest.
Tyler O'Neill, Reese McGuire and Jarren Duran's bats all propelled the Red Sox to a series win over the Angels
It is with great pleasure that we announce Tyler O'Neill has homered. pic.twitter.com/JuQcXPrCw0
— Red Sox (@RedSox) April 7, 2024
O'Neill's power trip continued into the third and final game of the Anaheim series. He crushed another home run, this time the last one of another three-homer frame. The slugger collected four hits, three RBI and 13 total bases against LA for one of Boston's best single-series showings yet.
Catcher Reese McGuire's bat also exploded against the Angels. He contributed to Boston's first three-bomb inning on April 5 and he added another three-run blast on April 7 to blow the game open and give the Sox a 7-0 lead.
McGuire has been on a tear to start the 2024 campaign and Alex Cora has rewarded him with more starts to give him a chance to lengthen his hot streak. The backstop is slashing .333/.385/.625 with a 1.010 OPS over nine outings.
Reese makes it 𝗙𝗢𝗨𝗥 Red Sox homers on the day. pic.twitter.com/YgeOzkumeu
— Red Sox (@RedSox) April 7, 2024
Jarren Duran has also provided a spark to Boston's offense. He's posted a six-game on-base streak to finish out the Red Sox's West Coast trip and he smashed his first homer of the season on April 5, which ended up being a game-winner for his squad. He's fallen out of first place in the league in steals and fans have come to expect frequent swipes from the outfielder, but Duran has been just as impactful in other ways, including some stellar defensive plays.
The Red Sox have a lot to be proud of from their trip to the West Coast, and winning seven of 10 games is just the start of the list. Boston has shown grit at the plate and on the mound, defensive improvements and offensive power that were a winning combination against the Mariners, A's and Angels.
The Red Sox can go into their home opener against the Orioles on April 9 with confidence. Boston has played better than expected on multiple fronts and with the offense firing on all cylinders a long home stand in hitter-friendly Fenway may be exactly what the Sox need to claim a firm hold of first place in the AL East.