The Boston Red Sox failed in the American League Division Series after four games at the Houston Astros.As in the previous year, the first round of the playoffs was already over after the victory in the AL East.What has changed since then and how can this new early end be classified?SPOX dares to classify the situation in Beantown.
The cancelling victory in Match 3 on Sunday gave the Red Sox hope for the Red Sox, as did the outing of Chris Sale on Monday in Match 4.But in the end, the Astros proved their staying power, did justice to their role as favourites and entered the ALCS.For Boston, the only reassurance is that once again it was not enough, despite great expectations everywhere.
The Boston Red Sox were the MLB’s Golden State Warriors – at least that’s what they called Brian Cashman, General Manager of arch-rival New York Yankee, after the Sox might have bagged the winter’s trade with Chris Sale in December.The Star-Lefty was to be the perfect complement to David Price, who had already been hired a year earlier for over $200 million.
The consideration was that with two top-pitchers the missing piece of the puzzle was found to take the next step. In 2016 the Sox won the AL East, but in the playoffs they had to find out that a top-pitcher and many nodding candidates behind it were not enough for the big throw – especially since Price had never really convinced as a starter in October.
Sale should therefore close this gap.And he delivered – from the beginning.He dominated the American League at will, collecting a staggering 308 strikes until the end of the year.Since Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling in 2002, no one had collected more than 300 Ks – since Pedro Martinez in 2001, no one in the AL.Sale seemed like the lucky move the Sox had wished for.
Since August, however, his form curve has dropped noticeably, he has been hit hard on several occasions and by no means worked like the over-pitcher of the last few months.He still set highlights, but no longer with the consistency from the start of the season.As in the last few years in Chicago, the left-handed man seemed exhausted.The usual theory: With its 81 kilograms of body weight spread over 1.98 meters, the slag doesn’t seem to have the necessary substance to go over the full distance of a long season.
While in Chicago the many Complete Games were blamed for the relatively weak end, the Red Sox were rather cautious with him.As a rule, Sale did not pitch more than seven innings.This year, however, he also led the MLB in the innings. 214 1/3 of this year’s total, compared to 226 2/3 in the previous year.
In the ALDS, sale in Game 1 was beaten by the Houston Astros – seven runs in five innings.And the other starters in the series were Drew Pomeranz and Doug Fister, after last year’s CyYoung winner Rick Porcello was not an option from the outset and then, after all, he was forced to start Game 4.So nothing had changed compared to the previous year.
Aggravatingly, however, Price’s numerous forearm and elbow problems made it difficult for him to play his part in the top duo.Price was only ready for the playoffs in the Bullpen.There, however, he was convincing in games 2 and 3.Then he sold in game 4 as well, but he finally gave up the homerun to equalize and the ultimate lead run was his fault as well.
The Red Sox season ended in 2017 roughly the same way as in 2016.The circumstances were slightly different, but the realization remains that although the personnel were enough to win the AL East, they lost duels against the very big competition, but also because there were too many points missing in the top.
There’s the offensive that had to change over to the vacuum left behind by superstar David Ortiz, who lost a lot of power – Boston scored 40 home runs and just under 80 runs less than 2016.His guaranteed 30 homeruns per year were by no means replaced.They found other ways to achieve runs.But their offensive was one of the league’s weaker units in terms of the year.This, combined with a pitching squad that’s not good enough for the big tasks – with the exception of Sale, Price and star-Closer Craig Kimbrel in top form – and you have a team that won’t get too far in October.
A question that critics and fans alike seem to have been preoccupied with for quite some time is that of manager John Farrell.This has a contract until the end of 2018, after the Sox had already taken the corresponding option some time ago.But will he be allowed to do this deal?Of course, you can’t put too much emphasis on what Boston’s local media are boasting, but one thing is clear: since the World Series triumph in 2013, the playoffs on the division’s last place have been missed twice, twice in round one.
It should also be remembered that Farrell was hired by President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski before his arrival.Dombrowski, who only took over at the end of 2015, has never really had the opportunity to hire his own manager.But he could now find himself in this situation, if the Red Sox consider it necessary to question the current manager.Farrell’s injection in the second inning of game 4 could have been his last act for Boston, which would have symbolic character.
With or without Farrell, however, the team also looks promising on paper in 2018.Youngsters such as Outfielder Mookie Betts, Shortstop Xander Bogaerts or Rookies Outfielder Andrew Benintendi and Third Baseman Rafael Devers provide a breath of fresh air, while veterans such as Dustin Pedroia, who will probably have to undergo a complicated knee operation, or Hanley Ramirez – assuming he is in good health – can still be relied on.
Upgrades are necessary, however, and there are rumours that the team will be targeting a few posts.First Base is mentioned again and again, with Mitch Moreland doing a good job.He becomes a Free Agent, though, so you’ll have to look around.A Yonder Alonso would be an option, as would Carlos Santana, who would be the more expensive solution.
In the outfield, J. D. seems to be on the other hand.Martinez after his strong season in Arizona.In terms of rotation, there would also be one or two high-quality options.However, it is questionable whether the Red Sox would like to take a lot of money into their hands, as price is already very expensive and sale will be so in the foreseeable future.
A look at the overall structure shows that the Red Sox has few real gaps in the lineup, while the rotation does have deficits – and also raises health issues.The managerial position must also be clarified.
nearby
At the end of the 2017 season, the Red Sox will be standing where they were in 2016.Not necessarily at the crossroads, but at a point that cannot be satisfactory for them.Basically, they didn’t move forward, but perhaps even slightly back through the Ortiz farewell.
The big question – and the challenge in the coming weeks and months – is how they deal with this knowledge themselves.Is it enough to control the AL East, which is no guarantee with constantly growing Yankees?Or do you want more?If so, then high level supplements must be made.There are options, but how motivated will you be to realize them?
This article was published without prior view by the Major League Baseball.