Boston Red Sox: Winning just enough, team aims to finish June strong
By the time the end of June rolls around, the Boston Red Sox will find themselves halfway through the 2021 season.
First, important division games are on the horizon and, with any luck, a strong finish to the month of June will find the Red Sox where they are today: first place in the American League East.
As good as that sounds, Boston (43-29) heads into the next stretch of games having lost two of three to the Kansas City Royals. The 7-3 loss on Sunday was partially due to the normally vibrant bats doing their thing but going 1-7 with runners in scoring position and leaving 10 runners stranded on base.
The loss dropped Boston’s June record to 11-8. A respectable look but somewhat disappointing, especially with the series loss to the Royals.
Still, thanks to a six-game losing streak by the Tampa Bay Rays, the Red Sox are in first-place by .5 games. And it so happens that the Rays are up next on the docket for Boston.
Remainder of June schedule for Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox take a 3-0 record against the Rays this season into Tropicana Field beginning on Tuesday (6/22). The series will close out an eight-game road trip as Boston will attempt to improve on their 23-12 road record in ’21.
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Worrisome is the three starters tentatively slated to take the mound against Tampa Bay. Eduardo Rodriguez (5-4, 6.21 ERA) opens as he looks to pick up his first win since May 7. Back then, Rodriguez was looking like his old self with a 5-0 record.
The starting rotation for Boston has struggled as of late, including Garrett Richards (4-4, 4.36 ERA). Richards has been slightly better than Rodriguez, though he hasn’t picked up a win since May 19.
Thankfully, in the last six starts combined for Rodriguez and Richards, Boston is 6-0.
Nick Pivetta (6-3,4.36 ERA) will finish up the Tampa Bay series. Pivetta has also had his fair share of struggles, with his last win coming on May 26 when he improved to 6-0.
Overall in the month of June, the pitching staff — bullpen included — has allowed five or more runs in 12 of the team’s 19 games.
After Tampa Bay, the Red Sox begin a seven-game homestand when they welcome the New York Yankees to town. Boston is 3-0 against the Yankees this season and pitching was actually pretty good that series, allowing only 10 runs over three games.
The month will close with a four-game set against the Royals, with the final game of that series scheduled for July 1.
Boston Red Sox offense to the rescue
Despite Sunday’s struggles in producing runs, the offense — along with a standout bullpen — has been the saving grace for Boston so far in 2021. This goes especially for the two thru six hitters in the lineup, notably with JD Martinez, Xander Bogaerts, and Rafael Devers having an outstanding season.
The offense has slugged their way to the second-most scored runs in the American League with 362. Consistent production from the leadoff spot and the bottom of the order is much-needed but for now its happening sporadic enough to keep the Red Sox at or near the top of the A.L. East.
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A continued focus on winning or splitting each series will keep Boston there. When — and if — the Red Sox sort out their starting rotation issues, July will up the ante as to whether the team is a serious World Series contender. Until then, taking care of business against A.L. East rivals is a must to close out June, something that the team is exceedingly capable of doing.