By: Adam Dapolite ’20

“Big contracts never work out for the Red Sox.”

“Don’t you remember ‘78?”

“They don’t stack up as well statistically in a couple of spots.”

The Red Sox are silencing the doubters with a season of epic proportions. With stars such as Mookie Betts, Chris Sale, and J.D. Martinez, the Red Sox are dominating the Atlantic League. A record of 104-49 moves the Red Sox 10.5 games ahead of the Yankees, the next closest team in the division. With their exciting recent victory over the Yankees, the Red Sox now have a straight path to the first round of the MLB playoffs. This now begs the question, can the Red Sox go all the way? Can the Red Sox make it to the World Series for the first time in five years?

Though Chris Sale is riding the bench at the moment, there is a very good explanation for this. With the playoffs inching closer by the minute, the Red Sox realize that they must save their star pitcher for the bright moment of the postseason. That said, Sale still has the highest number of wins saved and Wins above Replacement (WAR) across the American League despite being on the disabled list for over a month.

On offense, J.D. Martinez is having the season of his life. Martinez leads the league in RBIs and is second in home runs. Nonetheless, the Red Sox have a contract with J.D Martinez that secures him on the team through 2023. Equally impressive are the numbers Mookie Betts is putting up this season. Betts has the best batting average in the league, 0.339, with J.D Martinez close behind with a 0.329 average. Not only does Betts perform at the plate, he also makes outstanding plays of defense that have saved the team in close situations. This star studded lineup is propelling the Red Sox forward on their way to the World Series.

The Red Sox also had a change in coaching this offseason. It was no surprise to us in Boston that John Farrell was fired from the Head Coach position after the 2017 season. Once the Red Sox lost to the Houston Astros in game four of the ALDS, Farrell’s parting was imminent. Farrell failed to deliver in key moments for the Red Sox and his shortcomings were reportedly the reason for his dismissal. Alex Cora on the other hand has had success that Farrell did not in recent years. The Red Sox were 93-69 in 2017. Compared to this year’s current record of 104-49, Cora is finding new ways to help this team ascend to greatness that Farrell was not achieving.  

From the pitching mound to the coaching staff, the look of the Red Sox is one of a championship team. But will Betts, Sale, and Martinez lead the Red Sox to their ninth World Series? That remains to be seen. If the team plays like they are now during the playoffs, there will be no competition.