Tuesday 7/16/24
An entry about the Red Sox at the break.
People like grades for things outside of the academic context so here's my grade for the Red Sox at the mid-point of the season that is actually well after the mid-point: A-.
I am pleased to report that I've been wrong about this team. I came around--I wouldn't say there was much heel-dragging on my part. But they had to come around, too. They found a style that worked best for them, they got people in the right spots, things started to click, they embraced who they were as a team, and they ran with it--pun intended. They play exciting ball. They win tough games. They hang tough. I didn't see any of this coming. I thought they'd be a last place team. I like being wrong and the Sox being what they've been thus far much better.
They're four and a half games out for the division--four games in the loss column--and going by Alex Cora's comments, I think they believe they can catch and pass the Orioles. It's good to have goals, and it's even better not to put a ceiling where one need not be. Don't cap or limit yourself--go for all you can go for. I'm not just talking sports right now, obviously, but it's true with sports, too.
They do need to be better at home. They haven't been good enough at Fenway.
I thought the series against the Royals closing out the half was important. The Sox dropped the first game, then came back to win the next two and take the series against the team they were in a virtual tie with for the final Wild Card spot.
Why did I think this series was so important? Because I believe that the Red Sox front office does not believe in the Red Sox and they want to cheap out and not make any deadline deals to help the club. I think they want their own team to lose. That's what I believe. And if the Sox had been swept by the their closest competitor for that final Wild Card spot, it would have made it that much easier for management to put their back to the 2024 edition of the Boston Red Sox.
A few thoughts on individual players:
Rafael Devers: He's become a sleeper MVP candidate. Aaron Judge would really need to tail off or get hurt, but hey, those things happen.
Kutter Crawford: Big. He's been big for this team. You get a strong "second half" out of him, and you can get much done. And if he's put it together and he's legit, not just some guy whose had a nice half, then you are really in business.
Jarren Duran: I've said quite a bit about Jarren Duran, but I did want to make note of his 4-for-5 performance on Sunday. His four hits came via balls hit on the ground. Very rare now. But whatever gets it done. And if that entails playing the game a way that the analytics people say doesn't work and can't work because it goes against their math and probability charts, then fuck 'em and do your thing. It's still a game played by humans on a field against other humans.
Triston Casas: If you get him back and he's productive, that can make a big difference.
Kenley Jansen: He seems engaged to me. Other times, he's been less so.
I think all of these guys are buying in right now. Buy-in is a huge deal. Never underestimate buy-in.
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