The Boston Red Sox have three key series coming up, finishing their current (and last) West Coast trip against the Athletics, then coming back home to face the Yankees and the Athletics again in a 6-game home stand.
Nine games. Nine games are all it takes to make a difference. These nine games are so important that people could be overlooking them. Those nine games are the answers to the question that fans have been asking about the Red Sox all season long: Will they get it done when it matters the most?
Will Red Sox Finally Get It Done When It Matters the Most?
The Athletics are no pushover nowadays. They have young talent emerging through a farm system that rivals the Red Sox in strength. Nick Kurtz and Jacob Wilson are the top candidates for Rookie of the Year, while the power has come through with Brent Rooker, Shea Langeliers, and Kurtz as well. Denzel Clarke rivals Ceddanne Rafaela with his amazing defense in centerfield. Tyler Soderstrom, Lawrence Butler, and (the other) Max Muncy are key contributors to the team.
Their pitching isn't the best, especially with giving up Mason Miller at the trade deadline this season. That's the one weakness, but unfortunately, the Red Sox starters can match that because they've been iffy these past couple of series before this one. The question is, will they get back to what they were? Or will they collapse and possibly end this team's chances?
Red Sox pitching will be put through the ringer this month, because not only will they be facing the young A's offense and the ever-so dangerous New York Yankees offense. But, they will also have to deal with the Blue Jays and the Tigers' offense as well before the postseason. Remember, Garrett Crochet hasn't been himself either, so there's no "automatic wins" anymore. A lot of concerns are within this pitching staff, and whether they can hold it together.
The offense has been okay, but they have been inconsistent these past couple of weeks, and who knows if they can get back to their old July form. If they do, they'd better do it fast. The Yankees are coming back strong. It doesn't matter if Boston is 8-2 against the Yankees; a lot has changed since then. A lot.
Here's to hoping they can get back to their July and August form, and if that's the case, then Boston will have a much easier time and can cruise to October. Let's just see what happens at Sacramento first.