Don’t look now – scratch that, look now – the Boston Red Sox are 21-15, meaning they’re on pace for 94-95 wins. Since that awful series against the Rays in St. Petersburg, they’re 16-7 and just ripped off an eight-game win streak. Some of the baseball has been, dare I say, entertaining.
So, believe it or not, now is actually a great time for Boston fans to tune into the Red Sox. Especially now that the Bruins are done, the Patriots are in a quiet period, and the Celtics have about a month between each playoff game. Here are nine simple but very, extremely good reasons to check out the Red Sox at the moment…
Clutch hitting
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 18: Alex Verdugo #99 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after hitting a RBI single against the Minnesota Twins during the tenth inning of a game at Fenway Park on April 18, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
The Red Sox have four walkoff wins already. The major league record for a single season is 18. Their pitching hasn’t been particularly good this year, so they’ve had to come back, but they’ve shown plenty of resilience in those tough situations.
They’re fourth in the American League in home runs hit while trailing, and third in hits with two outs and runners in scoring position. Simply put, they can’t be counted out.
Rafael Devers is launching
DETROIT, MI – APRIL 8: Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox hits a grand slam against the Detroit Tigers during the second inning at Comerica Park on April 8, 2023, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
Devers’ .250 batting average and .301 on-base percentage may leave a little something to be desired, but the Red Sox’ best power hitter has been delivering the pop. His 11 home runs are tied for second in the major leagues, and he’s tied for fourth in baseball with five “no-doubters,” meaning home runs that would be out of the park in all 30 ballparks (via Statcast).
So, Devers remains a must-see at the plate.
Masataka Yoshida is the real deal
Mar 30, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Masataka Yoshida (7) makes a hit against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Many of you were surely holding your breath with Yoshida, and the unknown of a 29-year-old “rookie” coming over from Japan. There were concerns that the 5-foot-8 Yoshida couldn’t hit for power. Well, he has six homers already, on pace for 27 in 131 games, and he’s batting .321 with a .939 OPS. And that was after a terrible start; he’s batting .438 with a 1.229 OPS in his last 16 games.
If Yoshida keeps up those rate stats and hits around 30 home runs, he’s basically an elite hitter.
They throw gas
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – AUGUST 05: Josh Winckowski #73 of the Boston Red Sox throws in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on August 05, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
The Red Sox’ pitching staff has had a rocky start to the season, especially the starting rotation, but there’s no question that these guys throw hard. Boston is third in the major leagues in average fastball velocity at 94.9 (via Fangraphs). That seems to be a recipe for success; the Rangers, Rays, Orioles and Braves round out the top-5 in that category. Let’s hope the Red Sox can have the command to match that speed going forward.
Chris Sale is back
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 20: Starting pitcher Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox pitches in the top of the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park on August 20, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
That phrase might be up for interpretation. But in the literal, objective sense, Sale is back and actually pitching for the Red Sox right now. It’s felt like he basically hasn’t pitched in 3-4 years, with only 48.1 innings from 2020-22 and a multitude of injuries.
But he’s staying on the mound – for now – in 2023, and he’s 3-1 with a 3.86 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 23.1 innings over his last four starts. His fastball velocity (94.8) is up from 2019-21. Tune in when Sale pitches while he’s out there.
Alex Verdugo is breaking out
CINCINNATI, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 20: Alex Verdugo #99 of the Boston Red Sox hits a single in the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on September 20, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Those four walkoff wins? Verdugo has delivered three of them. The biggest piece of the Mookie Betts trade, Verdugo is taking steps toward justifying the deal with a .307 average, five home runs, and 18 RBIs, with plenty of exciting moments along the way. Verdugo is a “heart-and-soul” type of player and is playing the best baseball of his career, which has made for compelling viewing.
Jarren Duran might be legit?
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 09: Jarren Duran #40 of the Boston Red Sox runs the bases on a solo home run against the Atlanta Braves in the fifth inning at Fenway Park on August 09, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
The Red Sox desperately needed new blood to step up, especially offensively, and especially in the outfield. Duran started the season in the minors and has only played 20 games, but he’s made a big impact as the team’s starting center fielder.
His .366 batting average would be second in the major leagues if he qualified, and his 11 doubles rank seventh in baseball despite his relatively low games played. Duran might actually be turning into a legit “guy,” as our own Tyler Milliken put it.
There’s a lot to like about the bullpen
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 15: Kenley Jansen #74 of the Boston Red Sox pitches against the Los Angeles Angels during the eighth inning at Fenway Park on April 15, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
While the starting rotation has been mostly a disaster so far, the Red Sox’ bullpen has been more hit-and-miss. But there are some promising hits. New closer Kenley Jansen (8 saves, 0.84 ERA) looks comfortable in his first season in the AL. Josh Winckowski, John Schreiber, and Chris Martin have a combined 1.81 ERA. There’s reason to feel good about the Red Sox when they have a late lead.
The AL East race is epic
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 03: Alex Verdugo #99 of the Boston Red Sox and Enrique Hernandez #5 of the Boston Red Sox high-five after the victory over the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on May 03, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
The Red Sox may be technically fourth in the AL East, but they still have a better record than all but one team (Rangers) in the league. They could very well win over 90 games and miss out on the Wild Card. That would be disappointing, but at least they look ready to deliver a season worth watching. And those intra-division games are only going to get bigger.
