Boston Red Sox 2008 Midseason Update

Boston Red Sox: Season Overview

The defending champion Boston Red Sox are as surprised as anyone at the emergence of the young Tampa Bay Rays. If the Boston Red Sox were told in the preseason that they would be competing for the top spot in the AL East, anyone with a respectable baseball IQ would have picked the New York Yankees. By mid-April 2008 the Boston Red Sox had taken claim of the top seed in the AL East division behind the rocket-like arm of ace pitcher Josh Beckett. Though the Tampa Bay Rays are currently riding an impressive wave of success, the Boston Red Sox remain the team to beat in the AL East.

Boston Red Sox: Offense

Clearly the strength of the Boston Red Sox lies in their offense. The Boston Red Sox offense ranks at the top of the Major League Baseball rankings in multiple statistical categories including on-base percentage, slugging percentage, batting average and home runs.

The Boston Red Sox offense took a major hit when top hitter David Ortiz was lost to injury in late May. When he was injured, David Ortiz was leading the team in home runs and RBIs. David Ortiz took his first live batting practice early in July. In David Ortiz’s absence, OF JD Drew has stepped into the No. 3 spot in the Boston Red Sox batting lineup. First-time All-Star JD Drew performed well in this capacity through the month of June but has recently hit a cold patch. All-Star Manny Ramirez and Dustin Pedroia have both had 15-game hitting streaks this season. 2B Dustin Pedroia has been the one bright spot in a recent cloudy period for the Boston Red Sox hitters. While due to a hamstring injury, Manny Ramirez has moved from the outfield and into the designated hitter position. C Jason Varitek recently broke out of a slump in which he was 0-for-16. The Boston Red Sox would like for their captain Jason Varitek to heat up but with a lineup full of hitters they are sure someone will pick up the slack. In order to return to their full offensive potential the Boston Red Sox will need David Ortiz back in the middle of the lineup.

Boston Red Sox: Defense

The Boston Red Sox pitchers have been solid through the first half of the 2008 season. The Boston Red Sox pitching staff ranks near the top of Major League Baseball in multiple statistical categories including ERA, saves and strikeouts. However, they have struggled with keeping their walk total under control. This struggle is mirrored by P Daisuke Matsuzaka who has an excellent record and ERA but has struggled with walking batters. This struggle has reduced the number of wins Daisuke Matsuzaka has been able to secure but when healthy he is as good a pitcher as any and a sure starter for the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox bullpen will have to manage without closer Curt Schilling who has been lost to a season-ending surgery.

Boston Red Sox: Season Standings

With a 57-40 record the Boston Red Sox head into the All-Star break just a hair ahead of the second place Tampa Bay Rays. There is no doubt that the Boston Red Sox have the talent and the experience to stay in front of the Tampa Bay Rays for the top spot in the AL East. No one could have expected both the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox to be jockeying for the top spot in the AL East. Last season at the midway point the Boston Red Sox held a 10.5 game advantage over the second place Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees.

Boston Red Sox: Standout Players

When David Ortiz was lost to injury, Boston Red Sox fans cringed when thinking of the effect the loss would have on their offense but J.D. Drew stepped right in and gave the Red Sox lineup a much needed boost after the loss of David “Big Papi” Ortiz. After struggling with vertigo early in June, it was opposing defenses that were dizzy when J.D. Drew picked up the bat. Named the AL player of the month for June, J.D. Drew was instrumental in making sure that the Boston Red Sox did not take a nosedive after the loss of one of their biggest hitters.

Boston Red Sox: 2nd Half Outlook

In the second half of the season, the more experienced Boston Red Sox will look to become the first repeat World Series Champions of this century. The recent struggles of the Boston Red Sox hitters should be of some concern, but if Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz can somehow get healthy, the fans at Fenway Park can look forward to more electrifying hits flying over the Big Green Monster.