The Boston Red Sox have been one of the worst-hitting teams in the MLB all season, but it seems like they're turning things around.
In their first 40 games of the season, Boston recorded 29 home runs (third-worst in the MLB), 156 runs (fourth-worst), 149 RBIs (fourth-worst), a .235 BA (10th-worst), a .314 OBP (eighth-worst), a .354 SLG (second-worst), and a .668 OPS (fourth-worst), all according to Fangraphs.com.
Since then, however, the Red Sox have looked like a completely different team at the plate. And it seems like they're finally showing signs of life offensively.
In their 11 games since, they rank third in the majors in BA (.267), 10th in OBP (.324), fifth in SLG (.427), and ninth in OPS (.751). (They are still struggling a bit in the runs and homeruns department - seventh-worst and eighth-worst, respectively - but have scored 38 runs in their last seven games and are actually looking like a real offense... well, as close to a real one as possible).
The Red Sox' offensive surge could be a sign of what's to come
The Red Sox are turning things around even while their best hitter, Roman Anthony, remains on the sidelines. Is it sustainable? Only time will tell. But for the first time all season, Boston fans actually have at least some reason to be excited to watch this team whenever they step up to the plate.
Boston is not likely to be World Series-bound this year, but the team can still make some noise in the American League, and it all starts with its offense finding its rhythm.
The Red Sox' pitching has mostly been solid all season (their 3.74 team ERA ranks ninth-best in the MLB), but it's their lackluster offense that has held them back all season.
A little over two months into the campaign, Boston is 23-31 and sits at the bottom of the AL East, but if its offense can continue the trajectory it's currently on (especially once Anthony returns from his wrist injury), then the team may be in a good spot to do some damage during the heart of the season.
It's going to be tough for the Red Sox to truly turn things around because, while they have some solid names in their lineup, they're missing that one feared hitter who can take an opposing pitcher deep at any moment. Maybe Anthony can become that once he returns, but that's a lot of pressure to put on a 22-year-old.
Regardless, the Red Sox seem to be turning things around in an area where it really matters. Now, it's up to them to prove that this hot streak isn't a fluke.
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