Boston Red Sox: Can They Finish Off Their Comeback Season With A World Series Victory?
It’s hard to believe that only a year ago today the Boston Red Sox were an incompetent franchise that struggled in every way imaginable. Between a lifeless offense and an erratic bullpen, the Red Sox were a team that was in complete disarray. However, after this unexpected collapse, the Red Sox realized that they needed to let go of the person who got them there in the first place, Bobby Valentine. With his departure, the Red Sox were able to find a competent manager in John Farrell who has thus far proven to be the worthy replacement to the Red Sox beloved former manager Terry Francona. While there is still a month left of the regular season to be played, the Red Sox have valiantly proven that they are not only here to stay but that they are more than capable of winning their third world series in the last nine years.
The Red Sox consistent success begins and ends with their sensational offense. So far, the Red Sox have scored the most runs in the MLB (674) and have the second best batting percentage in baseball (.274). Along with these impressive accolades, the Red Sox offensive proficiencies exude a dynamic capability that is currently unprecedented within the majors. Between their top notch power hitting (.439 slugging percentage, 2nd in the MLB) and their uncanny ability to consistently get players on the bases (.346 on base percentage, 2nd in the MLB), the Red Sox are a team that can attack an opposing defense in a multitude of ways. Between David Ortiz’s explosive hitting abilities (.316 batting average, 24 HR’s and 79 RBI’s) and Dustin Predroia’s persistence in helping runners score (.302 batting average, 73 RBI’s), the Red Sox have a well rounded offensive force that can score in virtually any way.
Although the Red Sox exceptional offense has been the crux of their continuous success, their bullpen has likewise stepped up to prevent opposing offenses from getting a leg up on them. Between starting pitcher Jake Peavy proving to be a capable winner more often than not (3.99 ERA and 10-5 W/L record) and closer Koji Uehara’s talented closing abilities (1.24 ERA and 13 saves) the Red Sox have a deep bullpen that has the tenacity and finesse to confidently shutdown any high octane offense that they find themselves up against.
While all of these impressive statistics are great indicators of the Red Sox longevity in terms of their on the field prominence, it’s hard to effectively gauge the intangibles that make this team a one of kind ball club. The Red Sox eclectic mix of veteran leadership and aspiring up and coming youngsters is what makes this team ideally balanced and well prepared for any situation. Not only that, but if and when the Red Sox slip up (which isn’t very often) they have a intelligent manager and a great coaching staff that can effectively pin point any areas that are ineffective. These constant observational assets are why the Red Sox have never lost more than three games in a row and typically go on to bounce back from any debilitating loses they may succumb to.
In the end, the Red Sox have proven to be not only the best team in the American League but also a franchise that is seemingly destined for another World Series triumph. The level of consistency and attention to detail is why this franchise has been supremely successful since day one of the regular season. If the Red Sox can keep up their unwavering persistence while making the proper minute corrections when the time is right, they will undoubtedly be the AL World Series competitor come October.