The Boston Red Sox upswing over the past month — from four games down on June 11 to 3 1/2 games up as they open the second half tonight — is just as much about them as it is the New York Yankees.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox won four out of five (June 12-16) and then six in a row (June 29-July 4) thanks to improved defense, solid third base play by Deven Marrero, a rotation-stabilizing run by Drew Pomeranz, better play by Jackie Bradley Jr., Mookie Betts and Dustin Pedroia, and the continued elite pitching of closer Craig Kimbrel.
In addition, Chris Sale stayed atop his game, David Price pitched better and Rick Porcello — while not the 2016 Cy Young version — kept the Sox in games.
The Red Sox could have added to their division lead, but they dropped three out of four games to the Rays right before the break and looked a little bit wobbly. We’ll see if that unsteady feeling continues this weekend.
A few things remain unresolved for the Red Sox, among them an inconsistent offense that has already been shut out seven times, one more than all of last season.
“You watch the second half, those guys will pick it up,” said David Ortiz at the All-Star break. “There are too many good hitters there for that not to happen.”
Hanley Ramirez, the team’s designated hitter, needs to pick things up.
Red Sox designated hitters — predominantly Ortiz — hit .323 with a .404 on-base percentage and .641 slugging percentage with 44 homers and 145 RBIs in 2016. This season, the numbers are .259/.350/.441 with 15 homers and 39 RBIs.
Despite that, the Red Sox are simply clicking the way many thought they would, particularly Sale, Price, Porcello and Pomeranz, who have a combined 2.24 ERA in July while making two starts each. Overall, the Sox are fourth in team ERA at 3.82, their lowest mark at the break since 2008 (3.80).
The Yankees
There are plenty of reasons for the Yankees’ recent downturn.
1. Masahiro Tanaka — He was supposed to be the ace, but he has a 5.47 ERA and has been a total mystery in terms of why his performance has suffered.
2. Tyler Clippard — Once an effective setup man, he’s fallen off a cliff. In 38 appearances he’s 1-5 with a 5.24 ERA, and in his last 10 games he’s allowed 15 earned runs in 8? innings.
3. Dellin Betances — Almost a domino effect with Clippard as Betances has been very ineffective of late and is no longer the sure thing he once was. He’s walked 10 and allowed seven runs in his last five appearances.
4. CC Sabathia — He was 7-2 with a 3.46 ERA before going on the DL June 15 with a strained hamstring. He’s made one start since, allowing four runs in 2? innings July 4.
5. Matt Holliday — The DH hasn’t played since June 24 because of a nasty viral infection. To that point he had contributed 15 homers, 47 RBIs, and clubhouse leadership. The Yankees have missed him.
6. Michael Pineda — Just when you thought the right-hander had smoothed out (6-2, 3.32 ERA through 10 starts), he’s 2-2 with 6.14 ERA in his last seven starts.
7. Chris Carter — Carter, signed to a one-year deal, was a bust after tying for the National League lead last season with 41 homers. The Yankees released Carter on Monday, leaving their first base picture unsettled. The injured Greg Bird (ankle) hasn’t suited up since May 1. On Thursday, the Yankees acquired minor league first baseman Garrett Cooper from Milwaukee in exchange for lefty reliever Tyler Webb. Cooper is 6-feet 6-inches and 230 pounds. He was having a great year with Triple A Colorado Springs (.366 with 17 homers, 82 RBIs, and a 1.080 OPS).
The Yankees also passed on dealing for White Sox lefty Jose Quintana, who went to the Cubs on Thursday in exchange for four prospects. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has remained steadfast that he won’t give up major prospects for a front-line pitcher. There was no way Cashman was going to match the package the Cubs’ Theo Epstein sent to the White Sox.
The Red Sox now have a chance to add to their division lead over the Yankees. The Red Sox’ .641 winning percentage at home (25-14) ranks first in the American League and third in the majors behind the Dodgers (.780, 39-11) and Diamondbacks (.688, 33-15). The Sox are 13-5 (.722) at Fenway since May 23, and 42 of the Sox’ 73 games after the All- Star break will be at home, including 18 of their first 24.
So there’s great opportunity for the Red Sox to extend their lead, and if they don’t it might be alarming. They were unable to create more distance between themselves and the Rays last weekend and now have the same opportunity against the Yankees.
The preliminaries are over. It’s time for the second half and loftier expectations.
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