Abysmal. Embarrassing. Lethargic. Just a few words that can be used to describe the month of April for the Boston Red Sox.
But don’t worry guys, it’s only April! These games don’t even matter, right?!
What absolutely grinds my gears is when people take the beginning portion of the season as if it’s an extension of the preseason. Not every Boston sports team should be put up on a pedestal as if they’re the Patriots. In fact, no other team is like the Patriots.
What makes the boys from Foxboro so special is the fact they’re doing things each and every year that have never been done before, not something the Red Sox or any other team have shown the capability of doing.
What people fail to understand is that you can’t win the division in April, but you could do a lot to lose it. We saw it unfold right before our eyes in 2018, it just happened to a different team in the American League East.
While the Red Sox were off to a historic 17-2 start through their first 19 games, the New York Yankees started 10-9 –– a full seven games behind Boston for the American League East lead. However, from the 20th game of the season through the 162nd, the records were far more comparable.
After starting 17-2, Boston went 91-52.
After starting 10-9, New York went 90-53.
The Red Sox ultimately won the division by eight games, but only held a one-game lead after the 19th game of the season.
I know, I know. “The Red Sox could’ve extended their lead even more if they weren’t resting players down the stretch.” Not necessarily true. If you remember correctly, each time Chris Sale was put on the injured list last year, the synopsis was that he could’ve pitched through it had the division race been closer. A division race that was as large as it was due to an extremely successful April.
But you know, none of that matters. Games count more in May than they do in April. So while the Red Sox are 8-13, and six games back of the division lead, they’re totally fine.
Wake up, Red Sox fans. These games matter, a lot. So stop underplaying these early struggles.
What good is it if the Red Sox take off in May if they’ve dug themselves too big of a hole?
