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Boston Red Sox: 100-win season may be possible, but meaningless

By Gio Rivera

BOSTON, MA - JUNE 28: Jackie Bradley Jr. #19 high fives Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox after hitting a two-run home run in the seventh inning a game against the Los Angeles Angels at Fenway Park on June 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 28: Jackie Bradley Jr. #19 high fives Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox after hitting a two-run home run in the seventh inning a game against the Los Angeles Angels at Fenway Park on June 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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Having not even reached the All-Star break, the Boston Red Sox remain on track for a 112-win season. With 66 currently won, 100 wins is certainly possible for Boston. However will it prove to even matter in the end?

Let me begin by crediting the positive check-points to this 2018 Boston Red Sox team. I’ll admit, there’s a lot.

One hundred and ten million for the greatest free agent signing in recent memory by the Red Sox, J.D. Martinez. An instant spark to Boston’s lineup which finished dead last in home runs last season. We haven’t even reached 100 games played and we’re already talking about Martinez winning a Triple-Crown Award.

Personally I wasn’t sold on Martinez when the signing happened. Considering the position we were in and our recent free agent payoffs or lack thereof, one can understand the doubt.

Pablo Sandoval, Hanley Ramirez, David Price. Boston’s front office has no issue backing up the Brink trucks, despite the expense of fans watching the team bounced out of the playoffs in October.

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Take the past two seasons for example, in case you fail to recall.

It only took the blink of an eye for Cleveland and Houston to run over the Sox. A not so farewell sendoff to end David Ortiz’ phenomenal career. A horrid way to begin the $217 M dollar “ace” and there you have it.

A team that’s only managed to rise banners that read “A.L. East Champs”.

However, does clinching the division even mean anything anymore?

Answer:  No!

Just ask the team Boston’s battling for the almighty crown of the East. That’s right. The  New York Yankees found themselves a game away of reaching the World Series last season via the Wild Card.

There was something about Mookie’s thirteen pitch at bat against Toronto’s J.A. Happ. It brought memories of the Christian Vazquez walk-off against Cleveland last season. Where we deemed it as the biggest win/moment of the season, up to that point.

With two MVP-like hitters leading the lineup, the offense has got me convinced.

Nevertheless, it’s not the lineup that I’m concerned with regarding this Boston Red Sox team, it’s pitching!

Lack of Pitching Depth

This is where I’m deeply concerned.

Aside from Chris Sale and Craig Kimbrel, who can you trust. Consider I’m giving Sale the benefit of the doubt. He had himself a classic implosion against the Astros in Houston last season in the ALDS. Yet I still have faith in him because it was his first time pitching in October.

Let’s examine the main culprits responsible for my lack of belief.

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