Why 2023 Boston Red Sox offense is their most overpowering quality

The 2023 Boston Red Sox are looking to overcome mediocrity this season.

After a 78-84 last place finish in the AL East a season ago, the Red Sox are aiming to redeem themselves. With the departure of Xander Bogaerts, who signed an 11-year, $280 million with the San Diego Padres, the Sox pivoted their focus moving Enrique Hernandez over to man the infield.

Early struggles are evident in a position change, especially one that was previously held by a 4-time All-Star and 2-time World Champion. This offense looks a bit different from years past, but the 2023 club is up for the challenge to compete with some of the Red Sox best offensive campaigns.

The Red Sox offense is anchored by Rafael Devers who signed an 11-year, $331 million contract extension in the offseason. This is the biggest contract in Red Sox history and inks Devers throughout the 2034 season. Locking up talent long term is a facet the Red Sox have been unfamiliar with in recent years.

Rafael Devers as the centerpiece of the Boston Red Sox lineup

After the departures of Mookie Betts and Bogaerts, it seemed Devers was the final man standing becoming the centerpiece of the Red Sox future.

New faces include outfielder Adam Duvall who has started his 2023 campaign batting .455 with 4 home runs and a share among RBI leaders with 14.

Duvall fractured his wrist diving for a fly ball on Sunday in the Red Sox 4-1 win over the Detroit Tigers. The Red Sox placed Duvall on the IL due to the injury.  A timetable of his return is unknown.

Justin Turner has added a veteran leadership role already as he jumps into a DH role with J.D Martinez signing with the LA Dodgers. Japanese phenom, Masataka Yoshida has been off to a good start this season as well, batting .235 with 6 RBI and a home run. Yoshida offers incredible plate discipline, as he has only been a strikeout victim three times in 34 plate appearances.

This years Red Sox team offers a more sophisticated approach at the plate, tacking on nine runs in the teams first three games to start the season. Struggling a bit in the series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the offense gained its identity back in a series sweep over the Detroit Tigers.

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The 2023 Red Sox offense currently ranks second in runs per game, only behind the 10-0 Tampa Bay Rays who the Red Sox lost game one of their four game set Monday night, 1-0.

As it has been evident through the first nine games of the season, the Red Sox offense has simply carried the pitching staff regularly. According to MLB.com, the Boston Red Sox rank No.21 in team pitching with a combined 4.89 ERA and 14 home runs allowed.

Chris Sale hasn’t been his former self, however with Garrett Whitlock scheduled to return this week and James Paxton making a Triple-A start shortly, arms are on the way for a staff that needs all hands on deck.

Nonetheless, the Red Sox are staying afloat thanks to their third ranked offense across Major League Baseball, according to MLB.com.

Alex Cora expected Alex Verdugo to make a leap in the 2023 MLB season, and Verdugo has done nothing but produce as the leadoff staple for this offense. The upside of rookie Triston Casas continues to blossom thanks to his pure power and availability as an everyday first-basemen.

Trevor Story, who is sidelined from an elbow surgery in the offseason is optimistic that he will play in 2023. Story is another piece that could come back and make an immediate impact in the middle infield barring any significant setbacks.

If the Red Sox pitching staff can go deep into games and limit their pitch count as the season progresses, this is a Red Sox team that can compete and may even make the postseason.

Red Sox Nation, it is a long season with many ups and downs. This offense has a chance to be really special and a lot of fun to watch. The Boston Red Sox currently sit at 5-5, fourth place in the AL East.

Buckle up. There is a lot of baseball left to be played!