Mickey Gasper has been on fire since the Boston Red Sox called him back up from the minors a little over a week ago.
In his last seven games since getting called back up, the New Hampshire native has hit .421 at the plate with three home runs (for some reference, he had hit just two home runs in 102 prior MLB games) and 10 RBIs. He has also struck out just once in 25 plate appearances and has walked four times.
Obviously, Gasper is going to come back down to earth eventually. Chances are that he's not turning into the next Barry Bonds less than two months before turning 31 years old (although that would be pretty cool, right?), but there is also no denying that he is making a big impact for the Red Sox right now.
Gasper seemed like an easy candidate to get sent back down to the minors once Boston gets some of its players back (i.e., Roman Anthony, Trevor Story, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and maybe Curtis Mead), but at this rate, he is putting the team in a tough spot and proving that maybe he should stick around for the rest of the season... even into the playoffs.
The Red Sox will need all the offense they can get in the playoffs
They have taken a hit recently due to injuries and fatigue, but Boston's pitching staff (both the rotation and bullpen) remains one of the strongest units in the majors. Even when the Red Sox were dancing with the rest of the teams at the bottom of the MLB standings, their pitching was among the best in baseball.
That hasn't changed, and if the Red Sox want to make any noise in the playoffs, then their pitching staff will have to keep doing what it's been doing all season long.
At the same time, though, the Red Sox are in a good position to actually compete for a title this year (at the very least, they can realistically make a World Series appearance because of how weak the American League is), and while their pitching is going to be a crucial part of their run, it won't matter if their offense isn't clicking.
Boston has been one of the best hitting teams in the majors since the All-Star break. According to MLB.com, the team ranks first in BA (.272), first in runs (208), fifth in HRs (48), first in hits (339), and first in doubles (76) in 37 games after the All-Star break.
The Red Sox are in a good spot, but they are going to need everybody to bring their A-game the rest of the way, and this is as good a time as any for players to make their case to be a part of their playoff run. Right now, that's exactly what Gasper is doing, and Boston seems to be paying attention.
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