Boston Red Sox: 3 flaws standing in team’s championship path
By Justin Keene
3 – Lack of Postseason experience can come back to hurt them.
In 2016 the Boston Red Sox were swept in the ALDS by the eventual league champion Cleveland Indians. Last year, in 2017, the Red Sox lost the ALDS in 4 games to the eventual World Series Champion Houston Astros. That is a total of 7 games played in the last two postseasons. For the core of this team, that is very minimal postseason experience to build off of.
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There are only two players still with the team since the 2013 championship year. Dustin Pedroia is one and the other is shortstop Xander Bogearts.
Pedroia is not coming back so that just leaves Xander as the only member on the active roster that was with this team in 2013. Let’s not forget that the Red Sox let Hanley Ramirez go earlier this season. Hanley carried a .380 lifetime batting average in the postseason. He could’ve been a huge anchor in your lineup, especially given his postseason history.
The Boston Red Sox don’t have David Ortiz anymore so they will need someone to deliver the clutch hits.
The lack of experience carries over to the rotation as well.
Ace Chris Sale’s only appearance in October was last year in the ALDS. He did not do well, allowing 9 earned runs in 9.2 innings spread out over 2 games. David Price’s career numbers aren’t good either. Price carries a 5.03 ERA in 73.1 innings. Price has started 9 games and only has won 1. He has another win but that was achieved in a relief appearance. Rick Porcello is another member of this staff that has lackluster numbers in October. His record is 0-3 in 11 games, with a 5.47 ERA in 24.2 innings. The rest of the pitching staff does not have any experience out of those who played with the Red Sox over the last two years.
dark. Next. American League MVP should come out of Boston
There is nothing quite like postseason baseball. The Red Sox should have home field throughout the playoffs, at least in the ALDS. This is a much better team at home and it always helps to have the Fenway faithful cheering you on. The Boston Red Sox are currently World Series favorites in Vegas. Those are high expectations to live up to, let’s hope the Sox can do just that.