Why the Boston Red Sox Will Miss the Postseason

The Boston Red Sox have been one of the most surprising teams in baseball this season. Despite being written off by many before the season even started, Boston has proven the prognosticators wrong. They are currently in the race for the postseason and have a chance to bring baseball back to Beantown in October. However, I think the city of Boston will wait a little longer for the Red Sox to return to the playoffs.

The Red Sox are a surprising team

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Before the season started, it was easy to call the season a lost one for the Boston Red Sox. Many people thought this team would be one of the worst in franchise history. However, the players have proven once again that they have the final say in what happens on the field. The pitching staff has performed better than expected and their offense is one of the best in the American League. While the team should be a buyer at the trade deadline, Red Sox fans shouldn’t get their hopes up too high.

The Red Sox are a terrible fielding team

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The Red Sox defense is once again terrible. Boston is currently tied with the Miami Marlins for first place with 67 errors. Not making the plays they need to make and constantly giving up extra outs is a recipe for disaster. The Red Sox’ poor defense will catch up to them in the second half. The kind of opponents Boston plays in the second half will make them pay.

A brutal second half schedule

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Boston has a brutal schedule ahead of them. On paper, they have it toughest in the second half of the season. The month of August is especially tough with games against the Royals, Astros, Orioles and Diamondbacks. Boston currently holds a 25-32 record against opponents with a .500 or better record. They have also won only four series against playoff opponents this season. Given the early sample size, Boston’s fortunes don’t look too promising.

The pitching staff’s success has largely been luck

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While the Sox pitching staff is statistically superior, the numbers are very misleading. As a staff, Boston has given up 413 unearned runs compared to the 354 they have allowed. The starting rotation is also not very deep. They have been short a starter all season due to the loss of Garrett Whitlock for the season. Boston has tried to use Cooper Criswell and Josh Winckowski in the rotation and both have been inconsistent. The team is essentially one injured starter away from their rotation becoming a serious problem. The success of the Red Sox pitching staff is largely a product of luck.

Expect a disappointing transfer deadline

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Despite being in the playoff hunt, Boston is still undecided on what they want to do at the trade deadline. I expect the Red Sox to not make the trade deadline. Fans shouldn’t get their hopes up and expect them to land a big star. The Sox have refused to trade one of their top prospects for proven MLB talent in recent years. Team owner John Henry has also refused to add significant salary to the team. Despite having a new chief baseball officer, I don’t expect that thinking to change.

Don’t get your hopes up too high

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While the Red Sox have been a surprise this season, the clock will eventually strike midnight on this Cinderella story. Their poor fielding will ultimately hurt them at the worst time. Boston’s second half of the schedule has not done them any favors, and they have a losing record against winning teams. While the Sox’ pitching staff has been better than expected, that is a product of luck and that is unsustainable. Considering how the team has performed in recent years, fans should not get their hopes up too high at the trade deadline. While the Sox are playing meaningful baseball right now, don’t expect them to secure a spot in the postseason.

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