Red Sox Road Trip: A Test of Endurance and Improvement
The Boston Red Sox are facing a challenging road trip in mid-August, with games against tough opponents like Baltimore and Houston. This stretch of games is crucial for their playoff hopes, as they have struggled to gain ground in the standings. Despite a 12-16 record during this period, the Red Sox are still in the hunt for a wild-card spot, sitting three games back.
In their recent series against Baltimore, the Red Sox managed to split the games, which they viewed as a positive step forward. Manager Alex Cora emphasized the importance of every game and the need for his team to focus on themselves. The Red Sox are aware that they have a good team and believe they can make a push for the playoffs.
One area where the Red Sox have shown improvement is their starting rotation. Tanner Houck, Nick Pivetta, Brayan Bello, and Kutter Crawford have all had solid outings recently. However, for the Red Sox to stay in the playoff race, they will need consistent performances from their starters. Crawford, in particular, has struggled in the sixth inning of his last two starts. He needs to work on maintaining his focus and attacking the strike zone to avoid getting into trouble.
While pitching has been a concern at times, the Red Sox offense has been a strength throughout the season. Despite dealing with injuries, the lineup has remained productive. The return of Triston Casas and Alex O’Neill over the weekend provides a boost to the team. Casas, who missed 98 games due to injury, has made an immediate impact, going 5-for-13 in three games. Although he expects better swing decisions from himself, his presence in the lineup benefits other hitters like Rafael Devers and Masataka Yoshida.
In addition to the return of key players, the Red Sox could be getting pitching reinforcements soon. Liam Hendriks, who underwent Tommy John surgery a year ago, made his first rehab appearance and looked sharp. If he continues to progress without setbacks, he could be ready to join the team in September. Another veteran pitcher, Rich Hill, has signed a minor-league deal with the Red Sox. Hill has been diligently working on his craft and has already thrown bullpen sessions and faced hitters in the Cape Cod league.
Manager Alex Cora tempered expectations for Hill, stating that there are no promises and that his role is yet to be determined. However, Cora expressed confidence in Hill’s work ethic and readiness to contribute when called upon.
Overall, the Red Sox are facing a crucial road trip, and their performance during this stretch will determine their playoff fate. They have shown improvement in their starting rotation and have welcomed key players back to the lineup. With the potential return of Hendriks and Hill, the team’s pitching staff could receive a much-needed boost. The Red Sox are determined to keep fighting and believe they have what it takes to make a postseason run.