A nine-game lead. Keep in mind that? September 2nd, 2011. Everybody was completely using simple. Tito appeared like he was going to have the ability to journey along with his membership to a postseason slot. Even with all of the group’s points all through the season, it was all inside the Crimson Sox’s fingers.
The beginning pitching turned totally ineffective, with Jon Lester and John Lackey struggling down the stretch. Lackey’s ERA within the month of September was 9.13. Lester? He allowed 4 or extra runs in three straight begins. Josh Beckett? Nursing a bum ankle and knee. The pitching was so strapped for Main League expertise that Erik Bedard, Kyle Weiland, even Andrew Miller needed to step into the rotation. It wasn’t clear that Lackey was even wholesome sufficient to start out the ultimate recreation of the season. How concerning the bullpen? Daniel Bard gave up 14 runs in 11 video games down the stretch.
The offense dropped from an OPS+ of 142 in July to 120 for September/October. Positive, that’s nonetheless higher than league common, but it surely’s a drop-off regardless. Marco Scutaro, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Carl Crawford appeared clueless on the dish. Adrian Gonzalez’s energy was sapped by accidents.
A group bereft of management and character—not from the supervisor who shouldn’t have been let go, however from a gaggle of gamers who would grow to be notorious for rooster and beer and for slacking off on days off. Different groups summoning satan magic to remain purple scorching and put strain on the Crimson Sox simply to outlive. Ultimately, it result in a collapse of epic proportions.
Does this sound acquainted?
A 2025 Crimson Sox group that was inside 2.5 video games of the DIVISION lead not too way back is now faltering down the stretch. Whereas Garrett Crochet remains to be appearing like an ace, a house run downside has crept into nearly each single certainly one of his outings within the final month and a half. Brayan Bello is getting knocked round as a result of he can’t get via the highest of the lineup both the primary or second day out. Lucas Giolito is getting exhausting hit though he’s getting saved by some high notch protection by Ceddanne Rafaela. It’s led to the entrance workplace being compelled to name up prospects and younger pitchers like Payton Tolle, Connelly Early and Kyle Harrison, whether or not they’re able to shine or not.
The offense? OPS+ of 96 in August solely again as much as 106 in September. The ability strokes of Roman Anthony and Wilyer Abreu are nowhere to be seen. Anthony is misplaced to damage and Abreu—who was reportedly due again for the A’s collection—might not even be again till the top of the Rays roadie now. Triston Casas has been lengthy gone. Nathaniel Lowe began scorching and has cooled off. Ceddanne Rafaela is reminding us of these April’s Jackie Bradley Jr. comparisons. He was INTENTIONALLY pitch hit for by Nick Sogard. Did it result in a win? Positive. Nonetheless not an ideal look. Jarren Duran is cold and warm once more. Alex Bregman very a lot doesn’t look 100%—three homers mixed in August and September, and a month-to-month batting common of simply .194 to date.
So far as we all know there isn’t a tradition downside to rant about—or a supervisor that’s going to be swiftly fired—however the effort appears lifeless virtually all the way in which round. Errors that gave the impression to be labored out—particularly in protection and base operating—have even slowly crept their approach again into this squad.
What was as soon as a snug lead with hopes of even internet hosting a Wild Card collection is gone. The Guardians and Ranges are nonetheless on the surface trying in. However this group appears to be like misplaced and doesn’t have too many oars left of their boat to maintain paddling upstream. Can the 2025 Crimson Sox keep away from a horrible destiny?
