The Boston Red Sox struggled out of the gate to start the 2025 MLB season, losing three out of the four games on the road to the Texas Rangers.
The Red Sox continued their seven-game road trip, losing the series opener to the Baltimore Orioles. However, Boston started to find its groove, winning the next two games against the O’s and then sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals at Fenway Park.
During that Cardinals series, the Red Sox averaged 12 runs per game. That said, Boston hasn’t done a good job capitalizing on that momentum, losing five out of their last six games, heading into the series finale against the Chicago White Sox.
The Red Sox’s offense has been a no-show lately, averaging 1.83 runs per game, which is a far cry from what they did against the Cardinals. With that being said, a few Red Sox players have played a part in the recent offensive drought and need to bounce back quickly.
Below, we’ll discuss those players who are on shaky footing through the first two weeks and if they can get back on track.
1. Triston Casas, 1B
The Red Sox currently don’t have an in-house replacement for Casas, which is good news for the young first baseman. However, Boston needs the left-handed power hitter to step up after a rough first five games.
To start the regular season, the 25-year-old Casas hit a dismal .059 (1-for-17) with a walk and seven walks in five games. Casas didn’t have the best showing in Spring Training, hitting .195 with a double, two home runs, and five RBI. He also had nine walks, which likely boosted his OPS to .706.
However, to his credit, Casas has done a better job at the plate, sporting a .235 average with three doubles, a home run, and three RBI this month. He also has nine strikeouts, which isn’t ideal, but the young first baseman has a hit in three out of his last four games.
Casas was locked in the cleanup spot to start the season but has slashed .184/.245/.306 with a home run, three RBI, three walks, and 16 strikeouts. For the Red Sox to be successful this year, they need Casas to be better in the four. Manager Alex Cora moved Casas to the sixth spot in Sunday’s finale against the White Sox, so we’ll see if that nets better results.
2. Sean Newcomb, SP
Boston has had to lean on Sean Newcomb and Richard Fitts to fill out the rest of the starting rotation due to Lucas Giolito and Brayan Bello being injured before the season.
Newcomb, the left-handed starting pitcher, has a 0-2 record and 4.97 ERA through his first three starts this season. The 31-year-old southpaw was outstanding in Spring Training, possessing a stellar 0.63 ERA in five appearances (four starts).
However, the veteran starting pitcher, who has a career 4.52 ERA, has reverted to his old ways. In his last start against the White Sox on Friday, Newcomb got lit up by one of the worst teams in the majors.
The veteran pitcher allowed six hits, six runs (two earned), and two walks, but struck out six batters in four innings of work. Newcomb has struggled to go deep into ball games, failing to complete five innings in his first three starts.
The southpaw pitched well in his home debut last Sunday, allowing six hits, one earned run, and three walks, and striking out five in 4.2 innings pitched against the Cardinals. Boston defeated St. Louis 5-4 in extra innings.
With Bello and Giolito still not ready to return, the Red Sox need Newcomb to have a much better performance in his next start on Wednesday night against the Tampa Bay Rays.
3. David Hamilton, IF
The 27-year-old infielder is struggling mightily at the plate to start this season, which Red Sox fans did not expect. Hamilton slashed .248/.303/.395 with 17 doubles, a triple, eight home runs, and 28 RBI in 98 games last season.
He was also a factor on the basepaths with 33 stolen bases, which is impressive for a player on his second year in the majors. This season, it has been a completely different story for Hamilton. The third-year infielder is slashing .056/.105/.056 with an RBI.
Hamilton hasn't played often, as their middle infield is with Trevor Story and rookie Kristian Campbell. However, when he has played, Hamilton has been a net negative.
The Red Sox hope Hamilton can turn it around as he gave them a much-needed boost with his speed. If he can't get on base, it's hard to justify playing him right now.