BOSTON -- A year later, the Red Sox are once again hot at the All-Star break with reason to have realistic expectations of making it to the postseason. This time, they are ultra hot, riding a 10-game winning streak, the club’s longest since 2018.
So why is this year’s 53-45 start different from last year, when Boston’s 53-43 record at the break preceded a flat post-break finish that led to an 81-81 record?
“We pitch,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “It’s a lot different than last year.”
Leading the pitching is ace Garrett Crochet, the power lefty who pitched his first career shutout on just 100 pitches in his final start before the All-Star break. Lucas Giolito and Brayan Bello have recently been hot, giving Cora a legitimate front three.
The hitting, despite the trade of Rafael Devers, is more well-rounded and with more upside from a year ago.
Alex Bregman, the team’s veteran leader, is back after a seven-week absence due to a right quad injury and ready to lead his team down the stretch. Outfielders Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu are coming of age as hitters, and aren’t likely to wear down mentally and physically like they did a year ago. Roman Anthony, MLB Pipeline’s No. 1 prospect, is playing the part. Masataka Yoshida, not a star but a professional hitter, is healthy again. Trevor Story has regained his groove.
There is a lot to like about the Red Sox as they head down the stretch.
One second-half goal: Start strong coming out of the break
Last year’s squad had a disastrous road trip in Los Angeles and Colorado, losing five out of six. The Red Sox lacked the same swagger from that point forward and never played like a viable contender again for the rest of the season. Playing three strong teams right out of the gate (Cubs, Dodgers, Phillies) gives the Sox a chance to make an immediate statement that they are for real.
Likely Trade Deadline strategy: Find an impact starting pitcher to put behind Crochet
Following the Devers trade, the Red Sox have financial flexibility to bring in a stud pitcher. How might this happen? By trading from their impressive pool of outfield depth. Jarren Duran continues to come up in trade rumors, and his skillset is obviously one that is desirable to many contenders. The Sox will also try to find a more permanent solution at first base to stop the mixing and matching that has gone on since Triston Casas went down for the season in early May.
Key player: Crochet
He is probably the most important player on the Red Sox the rest of the way. He logged a career high of 146 innings in his first season as a Major League starter last year and comes into the break at 129 1/3. How well he holds up will likely have the biggest impact on how far the Red Sox can go this season.
Prospect to watch: Anthony
He has a chance to be that rare rookie who has a minimal adjustment period to the Majors. He is already becoming a force in the lineup and usually hits third or second. Anthony seems unfazed by the spike in competition and seems capable of handling everything that is thrown at him. The only thing he hasn’t done yet at the highest level is hit for a lot of power. But it wouldn’t be surprising to see that start happening in the coming weeks.
Games remaining: 64 (Home, 29; Away, 35)
Remaining strength of schedule: .516, 3rd in MLB, first in AL, AL East
Key series
- July 25-27: Three-game series at home against the Dodgers. When these two tradition-rich franchises met the last two years, Los Angeles clearly had the better squad, and it showed on the field. The Red Sox think they can compete with even the best teams this year, and they’ll get a chance to prove it in front of what should be a rocking Fenway Park.
- Aug. 21-24: Four-game series at Yankee Stadium. This could be the most important rivalry series in years, given how close the two teams are in the standings. On back-to-back weekends in June, the Sox won two out of three in New York and swept three in Boston. If the Sox can, at a minimum, split this four-game set, they could be in a good spot.
- Sept. 19-25: The final road trip of the season brings the Red Sox to Tampa and Toronto, two of the teams they could be jockeying with for postseason position. To build some momentum on this road trip heading into the final series of the season against Detroit could be huge.