Maybe we have to readjust our thinking.
The mantra for this Red Sox team dating back to the first day of spring training was that its foundation was going to be those five starting pitchers. David Price, Chris Sale, Eduardo Rodriguez, Rick Porcello and Nathan Eovaldi. So when uneven performances and injuries made such a blueprint uneasy doubts about their postseason viability kept growing.
There have been flashes. But as we sit here, facts are facts. The Red Sox' starters have the seventh-best ERA in the American League (4.78), with the rest of the playoff contenders all besting them. The rotation is also just 32-31. Compare that with Minnesota (42-24), Oakland (42-24), Houston (41-28), the Yankees (36-21) and Cleveland (35-32) and you can understand that there is some catching up to do.
Make no mistake about it, there is still the possibility that the group starts living up to expectations. For instance, you would think that the Porcello that has shown up recently -- with his five-inning, 11-hit, six-run win Saturday night serving as the latest bout of underachievement -- would get better. Since dominating the Twins in Minnesota, the righty has totaled a 10.57 ERA over his five starts. Barring an unforeseen health issue, track record would suggest things start to even off.
Yet until Porcello and Co. find their way, there is an avenue for this Red Sox team to hang in a Wild Card race they sit three games out of. It is a strategy that was put on full display in the club's 17-6 win over the Orioles at Camden Yards. (For a complete recap of the Red Sox' win, click here.)
This lineup might be good enough to pull a Cedric Maxwell: "Get on my back boys!"
While it is hard to imagine this Red Sox team as currently constituted making any sort of run through the postseason, it should be understood that there is still hope for the opportunity to play in October because the Sox have more offensive firepower than most. It might not seem that way at times due to the slumping of individuals, but a look into the numbers and you will find the true foundation this team is currently built on.
Going back to June 13 (30 games) no team in baseball has scored more runs or has a better team batting average and OPS than the Red Sox.
Want to get an idea of how important those bats have been?
During that stretch the Red Sox are 19-11, more wins than either the Astros or Twins. Their Sox' team ERA? That would be a horrific 5.30, with the starters clip sitting at 5.28.
How the Red Sox are managing isn't that complicated. They are scoring early and often. For instance, while the starters' ERA is among the worst in MLB over the last month-plus their record stands at 14-5. Using that June 13 jumping-off point, the Sox have six regulars with OPS of better than .900 with J.D. Martinez sitting at a respectable .821.
Now comes perhaps the most important question: Can they execute this plan against the next-level competition.
Against Tampa Bay -- a team the Sox will be seeing a whole lot of over the next two weeks -- Cora's club carries just a .212 batting average and .635 OPS in nine games, averaging 3.11 runs per game. That isn't going to work.
It's an imperfect plan in an imperfect season. For now, however, it will have to suffice.