The Red Sox are battling the New York Yankees for the top Wild Card spot. Both the Sox and the Yanks are within striking distance of the Toronto Blue Jays, who currently lead the American League East. With only 21 games remaining in the season, the Sox will likely qualify for the playoffs, and they’ve got an excellent chance to capture the top Wild Card spot, which would give them home field advantage during the Wild Card round. The Red Sox even have a decent shot at overtaking the Blue Jays for the AL East crown. Of course, the health of the players will have a profound effect on their success.
The Red Sox have experienced more than their share of setbacks this season. Starting first baseman Triston Casas ruptured a tendon and was lost for the season on May 2. Also in May, All Star infielder Alex Bregman sustained an injury that sidelined him for 7 weeks. Pitchers Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford and Hunter Dobbins all suffered season-ending injuries. Slugger Rafael Devers was traded in June. Outfielder Wilyer Abreu still hasn’t returned from his August 17 calf strain. Despite all these difficulties, the Red Sox have continued to win games, especially since the arrival of rookie phenom Roman Anthony.
Anthony stormed into the major leagues in a blaze of glory. During his first 71 games, he had a .292 batting average; a .396 on-base percentage and 32 runs batted in. Just 21 years old, he handled himself with such level-headed grace that Red Sox Nation quickly began to have extremely high hopes for him. With such tremendous production so early in his career, speculation runs rampant that he could eventually surpass the accomplishments of legends such as Jim Rice, Mookie Betts, Manny Ramirez, Nomar Garciaparra or even (sacrilege!) Ted Williams. Whoa, slow your roll! But there’s no question that he looks like a perennial All Star, if he can stay healthy. That’s the problem; right now he’s injured.
On September 2, Anthony suffered an oblique strain and is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season. He might return during the playoffs, if the Red Sox make it that far without him. I believe they will, because their pitching has been excellent, particularly starters Garrett Crochet, Lucas Giolito and Bryan Bello, as well as reliever Garrett Whitlock and closer Aroldis Chapman. Teams with superior pitching usually win.
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