The finish of the primary half couldn’t have gone a lot worse for the Red Sox.
After an unimaginable month of June, the Red Sox fell again to earth emphatically to start July. They misplaced 12 of 17 video games going into the All-Star break and misplaced Chris Sale to harm once more as they plummeted from the highest of the wild card standings to 2 video games out of the third spot.
It can solely go up from there, proper?
With 69 video games left within the season, there’s loads of time for the Red Sox to bounce again from an inconsistent first half and make the playoffs. But there are a number of fixes and enhancements that have to be made so as to take action. Here’s the place the Sox can begin as they return to Fenway Park on Friday:
1. Get wholesome
From their 40-man roster, the Red Sox have 12 gamers — together with Trevor Story, Kiké Hernandez, Christian Arroyo, Michael Wacha, Rich Hill and Matt Strahm — on the injured record as they arrive again from the break, and that doesn’t even embody Sale, who’s possible out for prolonged time after struggling a fractured finger.
Without a few of these regulars, the Red Sox have been pressured to play rookies like Jarren Duran, Jeter Downs and spot starters within the rotation greater than they had been planning. The returns of Nathan Eovaldi and Garrett Whitlock final weekend had been enormous, as will the presumed return of Story this weekend. The Red Sox want the absolutely wholesome model of themselves to have an opportunity at a wild card bid.
2. Start robust
How the following 12 days go for the Red Sox might go a good distance into figuring out their destiny not just for this season, however their long-term future. The Red Sox start the second half with a 10-game homestand towards the Blue Jays, Guardians and Brewers — all groups with successful data — earlier than they head to Houston for a collection towards the AL West-leading Astros that coincides with the Aug. 2 commerce deadline.
With a powerful exhibiting over the 11 video games main into the deadline, Chaim Bloom could also be extra inclined to purchase and commerce for official items that may gasoline a run to a playoff berth. But in the event that they proceed to wrestle like they’ve been in July, not solely will it put them farther again within the standings however will make the likelihood very actual that Bloom decides to promote and entertain commerce presents for impending free brokers like Xander Bogaerts, J.D. Martinez and Eovaldi.
3. Address points at first base
Assuming they don’t develop into sellers, one of many Red Sox’ greatest wants as they strategy the Aug. 2 commerce deadline is enchancment at first base. Boston’s .604 OPS at first base is the worst mark in baseball. Bobby Dalbec has taken a step again in his second full season, and Franchy Cordero — whereas he seemed like a viable choice for some time — has regressed. He completed the break 0-for-16 with 15 strikeouts.
The Red Sox want an improve on the place. Could the reply be Triston Casas? The prime prospect was anticipated to debut this season, however an harm that’s stored him out since May 17 has delayed him. A supply confirmed that Casas returned to Worcester on Thursday, although his precise enjoying schedule remains to be to be decided.
It’s arduous to say proper now if Casas will probably be a big-league contributor this season, so it appears extra possible that the Red Sox will pursue an addition within the commerce market — as they did by buying Kyle Schwarber final summer season. The Sox have reportedly checked in on struggling Mets first baseman Dominic Smith. Washington’s Josh Bell could also be available on the market, too.
4. Bolster the pitching employees
You can by no means actually have an excessive amount of pitching. For the Red Sox this season, that’s very true.
With Sale out for important time, the Sox might use some reinforcements in each their rotation and bullpen for the stretch run. The Red Sox have strong beginning pitching depth of their system — with the likes of rookies Kutter Crawford and Josh Winckowski performing admirably and proving they are often second-half contributors — however might profit from one other confirmed arm to enhance Eovaldi, Wacha and Nick Pivetta. That makes the looming return of James Paxton much more intriguing, because the veteran is ready to return again sooner or later in August from Tommy John surgical procedure.
In the bullpen, the return of Whitlock is a game-changer and the Red Sox now look far more formidable in late, high-leverage conditions with John Schreiber and Tanner Houck closing video games. But another reliable right-handed choice — whether or not it’s for the center innings (the place the Red Sox have struggled this season) or in shut video games when any of these three aren’t obtainable — might pay dividends for a ‘pen that’s been up and down all season.
5. Play higher towards the division
The Red Sox’ struggles towards the AL East isn’t a secret now. After a disastrous week towards the Rays and Yankees, they’re 0-10-1 in division collection with an general 12-26 report. No crew within the American League has extra losses towards their very own division than the Red Sox.
It doesn’t get simpler, as 38 of the Red Sox’ remaining 69 video games are divisional video games, they usually struggle for wild card spots with the Blue Jays, Rays and Orioles. Simply put, the Red Sox should begin performing towards AL East competitors in the event that they need to sniff the playoffs.
Source: www.bostonherald.com