Forget Pitching, The Red Sox Can't Even Hit Right Now
By Matt Dolloff, CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) -- The big problem with the Red Sox this season is clearly their lack of quality and depth in the starting rotation. But in June, even their big strength - the offense - hasn't been up to par.
It feels like an eternity ago that the Red Sox exploded for 15 runs against the Minnesota Twins in Minneapolis on June 11. Six different Red Sox drove in runs in that game. Since then, it's been an ugly downward spiral for a team that as currently constituted has to rely on offense to consistently win.
In nine games since the 15-run outburst in Minnesota, the Red Sox are 3-6 and have averaged exactly three runs per game, posting a .252 team batting average and .697 OPS. That's compared to .294 and .848 in April and May when the Red Sox offense looked practically unstoppable. The Red Sox averaged 5.9 runs per game over the first two months of the season; in June, they're averaging 4.7. Take out the 15-run game and the number drops to 4.06.
In the past nine games, the Red Sox are 10-for-69 (.144) with runners in scoring position and were 0-7 in that situation in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to Chris Sale and the Chicago White Sox. The most stunning thing about the past nine games is that eight of them have come at Fenway Park, where the offense has eaten pitchers alive for most of the season. Manager John Farrell described the team's recent struggles to Ian Browne of MLB.com as "a little bit of a dry spell," while offering up another typically computerized response that sounds more like a summer book report than a substantive explanation.
"We get a big opportunity in the third, bases loaded and can't cash in," said Farrell. "We had a couple of other times with some men in scoring position. Where we've been so good for quite a bit of this season, of late, that's been a struggle with men in scoring position."
The poster boy for the Red Sox's struggles at the plate is first baseman Hanley Ramirez, who is batting .179 in June. Ramirez struck out with the bases loaded to end the third inning - and, admirably, he took accountability for it.
"I just keep missing my pitches," said Ramirez after the game. "First pitch of the game, he threw me a fastball right down the middle and I missed it, too. You cannot miss pitches right in the middle of the plate. Can't happen."
If the downward spiral continues into the All-Star Break for the Red Sox, questions will inevitably emerge as to whether they need to add offense at a spot like left field or third base. But, the reality is that the Red Sox will not be acquiring a major asset unless it's a pitcher. Dave Dombrowski knows what the team needs and he won't be afraid to make a big trade to get it, but don't expect such a move to take place for a bat. You can only hope that the team rebounds from their current slide to ramp the offense back up.
The days of the Red Sox rolling out of bed and scoring 15 runs weren't realistic, but neither is their current struggle to score even two or three runs on a given night. The offense will rebound, and for now, it's the only way they can get back to winning.
Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Have a news tip or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.
