The Boston Red Sox have been struggling with their pitching, and the offense has needed to carry the load to their wins.
From their recent skid since August 6th, the Red Sox have given up 32 runs in seven games. With this in mind, they've lost five of those games. The team has also lost two straight series against heavyweight contenders. This is a concern that's been spreading like wildfire since the start of the season: Are they just merchants against sub-par and below .500 teams?
There is no concern with their hitting, because they've scored 40 runs in their last seven games, including a 14-1 victory against the Houston Astros. Their offense can match up with the best of the best in this category.
But when Garrett Crochet is getting a rough start, it's a message that's been growing. Crochet has shown that with a bad game, it can shift momentum into a negative direction, and he can't carry the entire rotation by himself.
Red Sox Pitching Will Determine the Fate of Boston's 2025 Season
Walker Buehler had a great start against San Diego, striking out four in six scoreless innings. But against Houston, he retreated to his 2025 self, giving up four earned runs. Lucas Giolito hasn't been what he was back in June, and it's been costing the team games. Especially considering his collapse in the fifth inning in San Diego, where he walked in two runs with the bases loaded and couldn't close out the inning.
But for the rest of August, they're playing pretty bad opponents: The Marlins, the Orioles (twice), and the Pirates. This is excluding a four-game series against the Yankees in the Bronx. This means that they can gain their confidence back quickly, and that's a good thing for them. They could even get back on their horse of a hefty winning streak.
Then, in September, they're playing the Guardians, the D-Backs, the A's (twice), the Yankees, the Rays, the Blue Jays, and the Tigers. Their last road trip of the season would be against the Rays and the Blue Jays back-to-back in that order.
These are statement series to make, if they are slumping come that time. Then, there's a possible playoff-clincher against the Tigers at home. Will it be a possible playoff clincher series? Maybe, but that's only if they don't fall apart against those bad opponents in the next month and a half.
They can do it; it was shown in early July when they were beating the Nationals, Rockies, and the Rays left and right, going on a 10-game winning streak. They'd better hope they can get it together, and Alex Cora better be giving them a heartfelt motivation speech in that clubhouse tonight.