The 2018 Boston Red Sox were an amazing team. Outfield superstar Mookie Betts won American League MVP, a Silver Slugger Award, a Gold Glove Award, was Defensive Player of the Year in right field, and was an All-Star for the third consecutive year. J.D. Martinez won two Silver Sluggers, was an all-star, and hit 43 homers for the team. With the American League Comeback Player of the Year, David Price, also on the roster, the Sox had no reason not the win last year’s World Series (WS).

But as of right now, they have low confidence, and October’s post-season play is lacking. Why is that?

Hitting:

The Red Sox have only three starters hitting over .300 – Rafael Devers, J.D. Martinez and Xander Bogaerts. Playing in a park like Fenway is not new to these three. Therefore, not much should have changed since last year. The problem lies in the team’s reliance on those veterans to consistently produce in their high intensity moments.

Having a team total of 187 home runs, Devers, Martinez and Bogaerts are responsible for 76, or nearly 40%. Last year’s WS MVP Steve Pearce is batting below the Massachusetts’ interstate, with a .180 batting average. Most surprisingly, Betts is having the worst season of his career.

Ironically, their overall team statistics are impressive, ranking in the league’s top five for many categories. Offensively, the Red Sox are one of the best teams in the league. It must be because of the pitching right?

Pitching:

Their starting pitchers have not helped their cause. The starter with the lowest earned run average (ERA) is Eduardo Rodriguez with a prime 4.17. Their bullpen is atrocious with 21 blown saves. Along with that, their top pitching prospect, Bryan Mata, has an ERA of over 6. In the minor leagues, former ace Chris Sale has lost 11 of his 17 decisions as well. Although the Sox’s seemed to be buyers at the recent trade deadline, they took no action.

Almost all of their pitchers exhibit confidence issues. But why? With one of the bests offenses in baseball behind them, there is little excuse not to bring in the wins.

In Summary:

There is always the old saying of “baseball is more than a numbers game.” But when it comes to this team, this is the only way to explain their miserable season. It could be due to things off the field.

Alex Cora, last year’s runner up for Manager of the Year, may have lost his touch on this squad. There is only so much a manager can do with players like these. I would not be surprised to see their superstars, who will be free agents at the end of the year jump ship for another team.

The traditional “take it one game at a time” athletic notion is irrelevant to the Red Sox now. There are almost no games left. The reigning champs will turn from the ultimate high to a very depressing low.

The 2019 Boston Red Sox will go from World Series Champions to not even earning the chance to play for one.