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Boston Red Sox: Ian Kinsler’s return critical for team down the stretch

By Ryan Feyre

BOSTON, MA - JULY 31: Ian Kinsler #5 of the Boston Red Sox bats in the second dining of a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Fenway Park on July 31, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JULY 31: Ian Kinsler #5 of the Boston Red Sox bats in the second dining of a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Fenway Park on July 31, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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After an 11-game stint on the DL, Boston Red Sox second baseman Ian Kinsler is back, and just in time for the final stretch of the season.

On Friday, the Boston Red Sox re-activated second baseman Ian Kinsler after an 11-game DL stint, according to mlb.com. Three games after the Sox traded for the 36-year-old, Kinsler started experiencing discomfort in his hamstring, and eventually went on the 10-day disabled list.

Prior to getting injured, the ancient second baseman was 4-10 with Boston, while picking up two stolen bases and two RBIs in the process, according to Baseball-Reference.

Although Kinsler doesn’t have eye-popping numbers (he’s hitting .244 overall this season with 13 homers), he still could be a key contributor to Boston’s success in the future, especially with all the playoff experience he’s garnered.

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Let’s not forget Kinsler’s importance to the Texas Rangers’ World Series’ runs in 2010 and 2011, where he batted leadoff, and had 32 homers in the latter year. He also batted .286 in 2010, and .444 during those playoffs.

Kinsler was brought on as a replacement for the oft-injured Dustin Pedroia (who seems to be the Derrick Rose of baseball), and immediately made his presence felt in his second game. The 12-year veteran went 3-6 with two RBIS in a 15-7 slaughtering of the New York Yankees. While he’s not the same player who received MVP votes with Texas, Kinsler can still add a much needed dimension to a young Sox team looking to get past the ALDS for the first time since 2013 (when they won the World Series).

Ian Kinsler’s impact

Baseball is all about having veteran guys who can impact the team in more ways than just talent level. In 2013, the Boston Red Sox definitely did not have the most talented squad, but they won based off of experience and poise. John Lackey went from a pitcher on the decline, to someone who can perform at a high level in a pivotal World Series game (see Game 6 of 2013 World Series). That’s the type of element Kinsler can bring.

When Boston needs a huge hit in October, he can be the one to do it.

Kinsler’s return to the lineup is critical considering Rafael Devers just recently went on the DL after his own hamstring injury. Maybe a nice break for the second-year player is needed, considering he was 4-22 since August 8 (and is currently only batting .242 for the year).

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Kinsler is set to be in the starting lineup against the Tampa Bay Rays this weekend. Hopefully his hot start with Boston wasn’t a fluke.

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