The Baseball Reporters Show Recap 6/21
The Red Sox have gone 11 series in a row without losing one. In doing that, they are now only 1 GB in the AL East and percentage points behind the 2nd place Tampa Bay Rays. On today's show, Tony Massarotti explains why the Red Sox have been so successful.
5 or 6 weeks back, Tony said that we should forget about the Rays, who were on a historic pace, and focus on the Yankees for the Wild Card. The Sox were 9 out in the loss column and looked as if the season was a wash. A lot has changed since then.
The Red Sox are 8-0-3 in their last 11 series. The only skepticism surrounding this team right now is that they haven't played against good competition during their hot streak. In the last 11 series, the Red Sox have swept the Dodgers and Rays, split a series with the Yankees, and beat the Phillies in two series. So for people to say that the Sox haven't beaten good competition is just false.
But how have they done it? Tony breaks down the numbers for you. "If you go right around the diamond using OPS, we'll start at the catchers position: Red Sox are 1st in the league. At first base, 1st in the league. Second base? 2nd in the league. Shortstop? 4th in the league. And third base? Beltre is behind only Longoria which means they're getting better productivity at 3rd base than even the Yankees. At DH? 2nd in the league behind only the Texas Rangers."
The Red Sox are playing great baseball, flat out. But it's been the unsung heroes who have really contributed. You know, guys who have won some games for us and have gone largely unnoticed. Guys like Daniel Nava, Darnell McDonald, and Scott Atchison are helping the Red Sox play their way back into this thing.
The Red Sox are off tonight but will resume play tomorrow when they take on the Colorado Rockies, kicking off a 6 game west coast road trip. Jon Lester will get the start tomorrow night and will face Jhoulys Chacin.
