Boston Red Sox: Xander Bogaerts gives you reason to believe in 2020 Sox

In an appearance on Ordway, Merloni and Fauria, Boston Red Sox shortstop put the rest any idea of his team as an “underdog”.

In a modified 60-game season, anything can happen. Any player can go on a tear whether it at the plate or on the mound. And obviously, any team can catch fire during a condensed span of game. So why can’t that team be the 2020 Boston Red Sox?

Well, according to All-Star shortstop Xander Bogaerts, that team can absolutely be the Red Sox.

Despite no Mookie Betts, David Price and Chris Sale sitting out the season due to Tommy John surgery, Bogaerts believes his team still has the talent and the mindset to compete even if it wasn’t a shortened season.

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During an appearance on WEEI’s Ordway, Merloni and Fauria Friday, one of the top shortstops in the game expressed tremendous confidence in his team.

"“Come on, man. If you look at our roster, the way that it’s built, obviously we’re not kind of destined to be last place,” Bogaerts said, as transcribed by WEEI. “Obviously we’re a pretty talented team from top to bottom. Obviously, we can be much better in the pitching area. We’re not loaded like the Tampa Bay Rays, but there aren’t a lot of teams that are loaded like that.”"

Due to Covid-19, Eduardo Rodriguez will start the season on the DL, so that leaves a starting rotation led by Nathan Eovaldi and a lot of question marks both in the starting rotation and in the bullpen. That is a major reason the Boston Red Sox are considered an underdog team going into the season. It would’ve been that way if the season actually started on time.

But, with a lineup that is still capable of putting some runs on the board, Xander Bogearts believes the Red Sox still have enough firepower to overcome any pitching deficiencies. When you have players like J.D. Martinez, Rafael Devers along with Bogearts in the heart of the order, the Sox should be able to put the pressure on opposing pitchers, especially if players like Andrew Benintendi, newcomer Alex Verdguo and a player like Michael Chavis add to the offensive punch.

Can 2020 be a redux of the 2013 Boston Red Sox?

Like the 2013 Boston Red Sox team, this version of the Sox is entering a season with low expectations following a season of disappointment.

As Xander Bogaerts was also on that team which was led by the great David Ortiz, he recognizes that it only takes players fulfilling their roles as a collective team to make great things happen in any baseball season. It is certainly more possible in a 60-gay season.

In understanding their weaknesses on paper, what Xander Bogaerts is really hopeful for, is that key players like Eduardo Rodriguez return to the pitching staff in time for the Boston Red Sox to really roll.

"“It’s really tough to have everything. A team that has both, that’s obviously going to be an advantage for you as an organization. We have guys that always step up,” Bogaerts continued. “We have a couple guys that have been on the DL now, so hopefully we can get them back, like Eddie Rodriguez. Hopefully we can get him back in camp. We’re missing a couple other key guys to our pitching staff. Hopefully we can stay safe, and once we get those guys back we’ll get ready to roll.”"

Next. Boston Red Sox: Starting rotation in serious trouble. dark

To believe in the 2020 Boston Red Sox, it will take believing that a couple of players in that starting rotation can step up as Bogaert’s points above. That puts a lot of pressure on proposed starters Martin Perez, Collin McHugh and Ryan Weber.

If at least two of the three are solid on the mound and the offense lives up to its talent, like Xander Bogaerts, you should absolutely believe in the 2020 Boston Red Sox.

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