The All-Star Game is eight days away. The Boston Red Sox sit at .500 (42-42) at the bottom of the AL East. While that would be good enough for first in the AL Central, that point is irrelevant. The bottom line is the Red Sox currently sit 3.5 out of the final Wild Card Spot in the American League behind the Houston Astros, Toronto Blue Jays, and Los Angeles Angels, ahead of them. For the Red Sox playoff hopes to stay alive, some players will need to get hot after the break.
Red Sox Players Who Need to Get Hot to Get to the 2023 Playoffs
Pitching
From top to bottom, aside from maybe Kenley Jansen and James Paxton, there needs to be better consistent, performances. Brayan Bello pitched a heck of a ball game against the Miami Marlins the other night, not allowing a hit until the seventh inning, yet he still suffered a 2-0 loss. Bello is 5-5 with a 3.08 ERA. If Bello can pitch like that every game and his offense comes through then that eliminates one of the issues related to Red Sox pitching. Pitching is what has won the Sox championships in the past and is what they need to improve upon after the All-Star break to make a run at this year’s playoffs. It would not be at all surprising to see the Red Sox be buyers before the August 1st trade deadline. They should pursue quality starters as well as relievers.
Rafael Devers
The hits keep coming for Raffy. pic.twitter.com/9o4mPRE8NH
— Red Sox (@RedSox) July 2, 2023
Yes, he is in two of the top offensive categories in MLB. However, he is also batting .248; not bad but nowhere near great, either. Rafael Devers is a fan favorite and he can hit the long ball. Fans love home runs. In today’s game, it is not just about hitting a home run, it is about how far it went and the annoyingly termed, “exit velo” (Short for velocity). The fact of the matter is regardless of how far or hard the ball is hit it still only counts as a run or a maximum of four. Former Red Sox player Wily Mo Pena could also crush a ball. However, his inability to hit breaking pitches and his propensity to strike-out, appears similar to Devers’ batting mentality, recently. Devers needs to find a rhythm where the focus is making solid contact instead of “killing” every pitch.
Triston Casas
In regards to Triston Casas’s batting average, it has been improving as of late but still sits at .230. Pundits have speculated he could be traded at the trade deadline, however, it seems regardless of his average, he will be with the Red Sox for the foreseeable future. Triston Casas needs to actually live up to the title the Red Sox bestowed upon him; the first baseman of the future. Well, the future is now and if the Red Sox playoff birth happens this year Casas needs to continue the offensive climb he has been on, as of late, after the All-Star break.
Adam Duvall
This past year’s off-season acquisition, Adam Duvall, was on a tear to begin this season before fracturing his wrist. Since his return from the injured list, he has cooled off and is now performing to what the Sox had expected when they signed him (.255, 5 HR, 18 RBI). Duvall will need to try to find the form he had before the wrist injury if the Red Sox are to make a push for the playoffs.
Kiké Hernandez
Kiké Hernandez has in the past, been clutch for the Red Sox and is another player who exceeded expectations. This season has been a struggle for Hernandez who is batting an uncharacteristically low, .229. The intriguing thing about Hernandez is his contract is up at the end of the season and with a perpetual log jam at middle infield, Hernandez could become expendable at the trade deadline. Hernandez has a lot of potential and the conundrum the Red Sox face is whether to keep him, in hopes he gets and stays hot after the All-Star break. Or, they trade him and potentially get some needed pitching talent. On the other hand, he could become the spark for a Red Sox playoff push.
Takeaway
The Red Sox need to figure out a way to get more consistent and better pitching performance from the majority of their pitchers. Should the Sox desire to make the 2023 playoffs, they will need to greatly improve their pitching which could happen via trade(s). Additionally, the four aforementioned players must find a rhythm and greatly improve their offensive numbers. If either scenario fails to happen then it could mean the Red Sox will be hitting the links earlier than they intended, in 2023.
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Main Photo Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA Today Sports
Players Mentioned: Kenley Jansen, James Paxton, Brayan Bello, Rafael Devers, Triston Casas, Adam Duvall, Enrique Hernández
