The Boston Red Sox are sitting in third place in the American League East with a 51-44 record. While the team itself has struggled, the bats haven’t been the big issue this year, as Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers create a dynamic duo in the middle of the Boston lineup.
Bogaerts is having his best season in a Sox uniform after receiving a six-year extension worth $120 million. Bogaerts has a .312 batting average (tied for eighth-highest in MLB), along with 21 home runs and 74 RBI’s (tied for fourth-most in MLB). The 26-year-old shortstop is proving that he is worth the big dollars the Sox dished out to him as they look for his production to carry over into the second half of the season.
Along with Bogaerts on the left side of the diamond is 22-year-old third baseman Rafael Devers. Devers is having a breakout season, with a .322 batting average (sixth in MLB), 17 home runs, and 66 RBI’s (t-11th in MLB). Devers has not only carried a big bat this season for the Sox, but he has also shown massive defensive improvement from last year.
Although the bullpen has continued to struggle, the Red Sox have two young infield superstars to ease the pain of 18 blown saves this season. Nathan Eovaldi continues to get closer to making his return to the mound, as he is scheduled to throw for AAA affiliate Pawtucket this week. Alex Cora is seemingly going to have Eovaldi become the new everyday closer for the club when he returns to the big leagues, and Eovaldi has made it clear that he is open to doing anything to help the team move in a positive direction.
Also joining Eovaldi in Pawtucket this week is Gold-Glover Mitch Moreland. Moreland strained his quad on June 7 and has been shelved ever since. Earlier this week Moreland, hit some pitches off of Eovaldi and took some ground balls. Moreland could be activated for the upcoming series against the Baltimore Orioles.
Although the first half of the season hasn’t gone as smoothly as the defending World Series champions would have liked, the second half of the season looks hopeful. If the Red Sox can tighten up their bullpen and find a stable closer, they will be right back to their old ways with their eyes locked on a playoff spot.
