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The Red Sox are more dangerous with a short season

By Max Smith

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 12: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox flies out in the first inning during a MLB game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 12, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 12: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox flies out in the first inning during a MLB game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 12, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Do the Red Sox have a shot at making the playoffs this season?

Things haven’t gone well since the Boston Red Sox won the World Series in October of 2018. Since then, it’s been a comedy of errors for the ball club. In a matter of months, they’ve seen their general manager and coach fired following an atrocious 2019 season. They also traded Mookie Betts to the Dodgers this offseason. While things may look grim for the Sox, a shortened 60-game season may be exactly what they need to find success in 2020.

Their pitching is nothing to behold, especially with the uncertainty of Eduardo Rodriguez’s availability after being diagnosed with coronavirus. They may have lost their top three starters from 2019, with David Price traded to the Dodgers and Chris Sale out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

However, if there’s one season to lose a few pitchers, it’s this one. With only 60 games, we could see the Sox use a four-man rotation and deploy an opener when necessary. If they can get consistent production out of two or three of their pitchers, they’ll have a chance to compete for a playoff spot.

The Red Sox will find more success with a 60 game schedule.

The reason they won’t need stellar pitching is due to their prowess at the plate. The Red Sox still have the potential to be one of the most feared lineups in the league. Despite losing Mookie Betts this offseason, they still have the likes of J.D. Martinez, Rafael Devers, Xander Bogaerts and Andrew Benintendi in the starting nine. If they can call play up to the potential they have shown in the past, the Sox will be able to outscore teams with ease. In turn, this will take pressure off the shaky pitching staff.

In baseball, random results happen all the time. With a shortened 60-game season, if the Sox can bear down and win games against tougher opponents, they’ll have a shot at making the playoffs this summer. They’ll need to do wipe the floor with the Orioles and Blue Jays of the world while also taking games where they can against the more dangerous teams like the Yankees and Nationals.

The formula is there for the Sox. Now it’s up to them to make it work on the field.

Next. Could the Red Sox bring Mookie Betts back next season?. dark

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