While the trade winds blow around the Red Sox leading into Monday's trade deadline, Andruw Monasterio has been one of the anchors to help his team ride out the weather. Case in point: Wednesday night.
It was Monasterio who played hero for the Red Sox in their latest win, a 4-2, 10-inning victory over the A's in Sacramento. It was the shortstop's two-run homer to lead off the extra frame that proved the difference in handing the Sox their 19th win in their last 22 games.
While the future of the Red Sox shortstop position remains uncertain, with names like Zach Neto, Otto Lopez and CJ Abrams being circulated as possible solutions, Monastario is the current answer at shortstop. No Trevor Story. No Marcelo Mayer. For now, no problem.
Even before Wednesday night, the 29-year-old has been one of the most reliable Red Sox since the All-Star break, totaling a .429 batting average and 1.229 OPS in his nine starts, all coming at shortstop.
"He's been great, really, since the road trip before the All-Star break,” Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy told reporters. “We gave him some run there, he started playing more, and he started playing very well defensively. He's taken some good swings against both left and right. He's hit some home runs, a lot of doubles, but he's been huge for us."
Monasterio, one of the most affable players on the roster, is seemingly just happy to be where he finds himself, having now played just one fewer big league game (67) than he totaled all last season with the Brewers. The Red Sox are also happy the player has found himself in this position.
"It’s a dream come true," Monasterio told reporters. “You want to be in the big leagues and also want to be an everyday player, but also to be in the big leagues, you have to play the role they have for you, and I know what my role is. I’m just trying to do my best."
Also helping the Red Sox's continue their momentum was another lockdown performance by a bullpen that has thrown more innings than any group in baseball since the All-Star break, but also maintains the lowest ERA. This time the group of Tayron Guerrero, Justin Slaten, Garrett Whitlock, Aroldis Chapman and Greg Weissert combined for five scoreless frames.
The Red Sox are now five games over .500, remaining 1 1/2 games ahead of Cleveland for the second wild card spot. They are 2 1/2 games in front of Houston, which has won three straight and is the first American League team in line to wedge themselves into the playoff picture.
