Courtesy of their 12th walk-off of the season versus the Detroit Tigers, the Boston Red Sox clinch a playoff berth for the first time since 2021. In a real topsy-turvy season, the Red Sox have fulfilled the potential many expected of them before the season. Despite trading away Rafael Devers, the best hitter the Red Sox have had in years. Here’s how they did it.
Story’s Resurgence
Trevor Story has possibly been the best piece of the Boston Red Sox offense throughout the entire year. The former Colorado Rockies standout has struggled immensely during his tenure in Boston. Despite this, Story has led the Red Sox in batting average, home runs, and RBI.
Starting Rotation Breakouts
Trading for Garrett Crochet was seen as a near-unanimous win in last year’s offseason. Luckily for the Red Sox, that trade has been exactly what the Red Sox have needed for years. Specifically, ever since Chris Sale began experiencing injury problems.
Leading the majors in innings pitched and strikeouts, Crochet has really taken a big step toward becoming a premier pitcher. That being said, he’s not the only one taking steps in the right direction.
A 4.24 ERA was the previous high for Brayan Bello before this year. This season, Bello set career highs with a 3.35 ERA and a 1.236 WHIP.
Despite recent struggles, Lucas Giolito put together a resurgent season of his own. A 3.41 ERA matches his career high from 2019, a season where he placed sixth in the AL Cy Young voting. This was also by far his best season since getting traded from the Chicago White Sox in the middle of 2023.
Cuban Missile
In a late-career resurgence that can only be compared to Barry Bonds, Aroldis Chapman has put up arguably his best season ever. In a career with three sub-2.00 ERA seasons, none compares to the 1.19 ERA and 0.696 WHIP. Both are career bests in his 16-year career.
Somehow, it was possible because of PitchCom, according to Buster Olney, via an Instagram post by @pitchingninja. According to Olney, Chapman wasn’t used to getting specific instructions on where to throw pitches. Instead, Chapman would throw his fastball in the vicinity of the plate.
How the Red Sox Win the World Series
Deep Starter Outings
As good as Chapman and Garrett Whitlock are, the rest of the bullpen is a ragtag group of guys. Ideally, Crochet, Bello, Giolito, and company are going to have to go deep into games so that the Red Sox won’t have to utilize too many pieces from the bullpen. If the Red Sox have to use guys outside of Chapman, Whitlock, Justin Wilson, and Justin Slaten, be prepared for a rough time.
Offensive Hot Streaks
With Roman Anthony out until most likely the ALDS, the Red Sox offense will have to step up and make sure they aren’t scoring only one run a game this postseason. Anthony, when in the lineup, has really helped make the Red Sox lineup operate at a relatively high rate. The Red Sox have scored nearly one run per game more with him in the lineup than without him.
Looking Ahead
The Red Sox can potentially face AL East rivals in the New York Yankees or Toronto Blue Jays. However, they could also face the Cleveland Guardians or have a second consecutive series matchup with the Tigers. It all depends on how these last few games go. Regardless, they are dancing in October.
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