Are The Boston Red Sox.... Good?
Probably Not.... But Maybe....
First, I want to thank our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for dying on the cross for our sins. The timing this year was impecable as it gave me off from work for Opening Weekend. With the Red Sox on the West Coast it allowed me to be a complete degenerate as I could still complete my boyfriend duties and get home in time to watch the game.
Overall Takeaway:
As Sam astutely noted, the average attention span for a blog reader is brief. Hence, I'll cut to the chase: reminiscent of last year, this season promises to be a rollercoaster ride with its fair share of heartbreaks. The Red Sox, despite their valiant efforts, ended up with a "best" run differential for a team with a losing record in 2023 (-4), maintaining a perfectly balanced 39-42 record both at home and away. Their expected win-loss ratio? A predictable 81-81.
Splitting the series with the Mariners is commendable, yet my enthusiasm remains tempered. Consistency at Fenway Park, something they couldn’t do last season, is crucial before I start thinking much of this team.
What I Loved:
1. Starting Pitching: Bello, Pivetta, Crawford, and Whitlock showed what Andrew Bailey could do to a pitching staff. Heading to Oakland with a collective 1.68 ERA, they were arguably the best starting rotation to start the saeson. While the bullpen might require some fine-tuning, the Red Sox starters delivered a stellar performance on Opening Weekend.
2. Defense: The defensive duo of Rafaela and Story is a game-changer for a team that struggled defensively last year. Casas's improvement at first base is also noteworthy.
3. Standout Performances:
Jarren Duran's solid contact, albeit without remarkable results, is promising.
Rafaela's speed adds an exciting dimension to the team, evident in his outfield plays and base-running maneuvers.
Tyler O'Neil's standout performance at the plate demands recognition. For me, there was no reason he should be sitting any games due to matchups. This team is not deep enough for that.
What I Was "Mid" About:
1. Triston Casas and Trevor Story: While Story's defensive prowess shines, his offensive output remains lackluster. Casas showed promise, but I am fearful he will get off to a slow start similar to last season.
2. Rafael Devers: Devers's shoulder concerns raise red flags. Despite his pivotal home run on Opening Day, I need a little more info on what the injury may or may not be.
What I Didn’t Love:
1. Umpires: Across the league, home plate umpires drew criticism for subpar officiating. While the Red Sox weren't at the receiving end of egregious calls like the Rangers, the general quality of umpiring left much to be desired. It got to the point where umps were apologzing to players.
2. Alex Cora: My personal opinion may be biased, but Alex Cora's demeanor in the dugout appears disengaged. With speculation rife about his future, I hope to see him fully invested in the team's success.
3. Kenley Jansen: Jansen's off-season remarks about the team, followed by complaining that he slept on the wrong side of the bed doesn’t work for me. There was a lot of reports online that he alluded to it being a long term issue. He’s old I get it, but if that is the case send him away.
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