The Boston Red Sox have been on a roll, securing five consecutive wins after sweeping the Houston Astros over the weekend. This surge has propelled them up to No. 11 in the latest MLB.com power rankings, reflecting their improved standing as the postseason approaches. The team’s rising momentum has been fueled by standout performances and timely contributions from key players, with the focus now shifting to maintaining this success while managing player health.
Rising Stars and Team Success Highlight Boston’s Recent Performance
One of the bright spots has been the emergence of rookie Roman Anthony, who has impressed with a .340 batting average, .444 on-base percentage, and .481 slugging percentage over his last 29 games. MLB.com’s Will Leitch noted Anthony’s hot streak, writing,
“Remember when we were all a little worried about Roman Anthony? I swear, this happened.”
Leitch also recognized the team’s collective success, stating,
“And guess what? The Red Sox have the best record in baseball over that very stretch.”
Garrett Crochet’s Impact and Workload Management
The Red Sox’s success is also closely tied to the stellar pitching of ace Garrett Crochet. The All-Star left-hander has been dominant in July, posting a 4-0 record with a 1.73 ERA and tallying 31 strikeouts over 26 innings in four starts. However, the team remains cautious about his workload, having postponed his next start to Tuesday against the Kansas City Royals to allow for extra rest. Ian Browne from MLB.com explained,
“The Red Sox are giving him an extended rest from his start last Saturday. Alex Cora said this was pre planned.”
Crochet leads the American League with 141 1/3 innings pitched this year, nearing his career high of 146 innings set last season with the Chicago White Sox. Bob Nightengale of USA Today highlighted Crochet’s heavy usage, reporting,
“Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet has pitched 66 ⅓ innings since June 1, already exceeding his entire total of 64 innings in August and September in his career.”
Implications for Postseason and Team Strategy Moving Forward
As the Red Sox position themselves for a possible postseason berth, maintaining Crochet’s health is a critical priority. While his performance ranks second in the AL behind Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal in both strikeouts and WAR, the Red Sox coaching staff seems determined to preserve Crochet’s effectiveness for the stretch run even if it means limiting his chances to win the Cy Young Award. Balancing his workload may prove essential for Boston’s title hopes in the weeks ahead.