That the Red Sox have climbed out of the Grand Canyon-sized hold they dug themselves over the first three months of the season is remarkable enough, that they’ve done it without any contributions from the most talented hitter on their roster is shocking. Alas, they better hope they can keep it going without Roman Anthony because, somehow, he is still not anywhere close to returning. Anthony, who was sent to Fort Myers recently to continue to rehab, is still unable to swing a bat. “We’re not going to resume
hitting if there’s still discomfort in the hand,” said Chad Tracy. “That’s a big piece of our lineup. It would be great to get him back. The whole point is we don’t want our player, that player, to play injured, especially when it comes to swinging the bat.” (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)
Of course, we all know the explanation for how they’ve been able to put this streak together without a bat like Anthony’s in the lineup: starting pitching. “Over the first 11 wins [of the streak], the team allowed just 17 runs — the fewest its allowed in any 11-game stretch in one season since Babe Ruth was part of the rotation in 1918.” (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)
So it’s arguably been the best run of pitching the Sox have had since Babe Ruth, whose name usually isn’t brought up in a positive way by Sox fans. Neither is the year 1948, which famously did not end well for the Sox, but that’s how long you have to go to match the 13-game win streak. (Steve Buckley, The Athletic)
Of course there have been plenty of contributions from the lineup as well, particularly from guys like Wilyer Abreu, Willson Contreras, and Caleb Durbin. Contreras, in particular is bringing the energy. “I don’t want them to start saying, like shouting, ‘Sell the team!’ I don’t like that,” Contreras said. “I take that personally, but they’re passionate about it. But I’m really proud of the team, of my team. Really proud of the work we’ve done. Really proud because of the way we started, how we are right now. And I know there’s a lot of games ahead, but they make me proud.” (Trevor Hass, Boston.com)
But, believe it nor not, the Red Sox reportedly have not yet decided to buy at the trade deadline: “For now, their plans are fluid. Boston isn’t discounting pursuing help before Aug. 3. The Red Sox also know that, for an entire half of the season, they personified mediocrity and that 15 games does not a season make. So, like many others, they’re weighing their options, knowing that if they stumble, they can pivot into dump mode and make a killing…” (Jeff Passan, ESPN)
