{'byline': 'by Rob Bradford', 'hosts': '', 'byline_sources': '', 'audience_id': '', 'original_station': [{'station': 'weei', 'path': 'weei/sports/red-sox/how-the-once-hopeful-red-sox-landed-back-at-500'}], 'syndicated_items': [{'station': 'wtic', 'path': '/wtic/sports/boston-red-sox/how-the-once-hopeful-red-sox-landed-back-at-500'}, {'station': 'waaf', 'path': '/waaf/sports/how-the-once-hopeful-red-sox-landed-back-at-500'}, {'station': 'mix1041', 'path': '/mix1041/sports/how-the-once-hopeful-red-sox-landed-back-at-500'}, {'station': 'magic1067', 'path': '/magic1067/sports/how-the-once-hopeful-red-sox-landed-back-at-500'}, {'station': 'big103boston', 'path': '/big103boston/sports/how-the-once-hopeful-red-sox-landed-back-at-500'}], 'original_item': {'_index': 'published-content_v44', '_type': '_doc', '_score': None, '_source': {'date': '2024-09-05T12:06:35.794+00:00', 'lead': [{'data': {'title': 'Jones & Keefe: Lou Merloni on the prospect he is ready to see in the big leagues', 'thumbnail_url': 'https://s2.dmcdn.net/v/WxAR-1cqjccuAAr5N', 'id': 'x94vf9a', 'created_time': 1725039466, 'mode': 'vod', 'private_id': 'k1sztbiiOLZmsWBnJjo', 'owner': 'x2ynwee', 'description': '', 'channel': 'sport', 'tags': ['Boston', 'WEEIFM', 'WEEI 93.7', 'Gresh Fauria', 'Andy Gresh', 'Christian Fauria', 'Baseball', 'MLB', 'Boston Red Sox'], 'private': False, 'addPublic': True}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/dailymotion/instances/cm0p6qohr000s3b7kcczyq4eg@published'}], 'slug': 'how-the-once-hopeful-red-sox-landed-back-at-500', 'tags': ['Boston Red Sox', 'newsletter', 'MLB'], 'feeds': {'msn': True, 'rss': True, 'postup': True, 'facebook': True, 'newsfeed': True, 'sitemaps': True, 'frequency': True, 'smartNews': True, 'apple-news': False, 'smart-news': True, 'most-popular': True, 'reversechron': True, 'google-news-feed': True}, 'hosts': [], 'adTags': {'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/ad-tags/instances/cm0p6pbj5000a01txgi8fdm13@published'}, 'byline': [{'hosts': [], 'names': [{'name': 'Rob Bradford', 'slug': 'rob-bradford', 'text': 'Rob Bradford'}], 'prefix': 'by', 'sources': []}], 'teaser': 'How the once hopeful Red Sox landed back at .500', 'authors': ['Rob Bradford'], 'content': [{'data': {'title': 'A guide to the most exciting September call-ups', 'allowed': True, 'componentVariation': 'title'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/title/instances/cm0p6ssn3001l3b7k0i27xpyd@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<iframe frameborder="0" height="200" scrolling="no" src="https://playlist.megaphone.fm/?e=CAD8967590087" width="100%"></iframe>', 'isIframe': True, 'componentVariation': 'html-embed', 'fbInstantArticleHtml': '<iframe frameborder="0" height="200" scrolling="no" src="https://playlist.megaphone.fm/?e=CAD8967590087" width="100%"></iframe>'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/html-embed/instances/cm0p6teoq00223b7kuk9p95qu@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'NEW YORK - One month ago, the Red Sox were nine games over .500. That nine-game cushion has now officially left the building.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cm0p6u4k5002b3b7kk3i8f7ku@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'With their 11th loss in the last 14 games - a 8-3 loss to the Mets, punctuating a series sweep at Citi Field - the Sox are now sitting with as many wins as they have losses for the first time since they were 35-35 on June 14.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cm0p6xrk6002k3b7k91mmd0bl@published'}, {'data': {'text': "Back on Aug. 5, the Sox' Fangraphs' playoff odds sat at 51.9 percent. They are now 8.1 percent. Alex Cora's team was also feeling confident because it was riding a three-game win streak, brimming with optimism after a trade deadline that brought two more late-inning relievers (Lucas Sims and Luis Garcia).", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cm0p71ga9002u3b7krv04sgv1@published'}, {'data': {'text': "The Red Sox' motivations and momentum were undeniable, with thoughts of drifting back into the same late-season world of apathy as the previous two seasons not seemingly plausible.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cm0p7aq2u003c3b7kvgst0k55@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Now? For starters, the Detroit team that traded away its second-best pitcher at trade deadline and one of its best relievers, and resided 7 1/2 games in back of the Red Sox, are now even with Boston. So is Seattle. And the Rays? They are 1/2 game out of joining those teams that are now a daunting 5 1/2 games out of the final Wild Card spot.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cm0p7570c00333b7k5c72us43@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'So, what happened?', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cm0p7fxqw003m3b7keid7x01w@published'}, {'data': {'text': "Maybe we can use that Aug. 7 loss to the Royals as the beginning of the end. Since then the Red Sox haven't won more than two games in a row, going 9-18 with a run differential of minus-40. But, really, the jumping off point for disaster dates back to the first day after the All-Star break, a few weeks before that last three-game win streak.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cm0p7ge2r003v3b7knbu66owv@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'When the Red Sox played that first post-All-Star break game in Los Angeles, they were a season-high 10 games over .500. But, little did they know, but the current disaster they are experiencing was set in motion during that three-game sweep against the Dodgers. One late-game lead after another went by the wayside, with the team not adequately equipping itself for the absences of Chris Martin and Justin Slaten.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cm0p7kvmy00443b7k2ayy20fo@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'And when the hole was attempted to be filled - with the addition of Sims and Garcia - the leaks kept on coming.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cm0p7sslv004d3b7knyqdh18k@published'}, {'data': {'text': "And even when it appeared the Red Sox were going to be able to lean on the certainty that was Kenley Jansen and Martin, with some reinforcements finally emerging leading into the eighth and ninth innings, it didn't work. That was certainly the case the last two games against the Mets, with both pitchers being brought into preserve one-run deficits only to see things go dramatically sideways.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cm0p7unxq004m3b7kcmjzoua6@published'}, {'data': {'text': "However you want to measure it - or offer an explanation for it - the Red Sox' relievers post-All-Star break stretch has been strikingly uncomfortable. They claim the far-and-away highest batting average (.298) and OPS (.894) against. There have been a MLB-high 36 home runs surrendered, which is 26 more than Oakland's bullpen.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cm0p7z2b0004v3b7k0tjzvjgj@published'}, {'data': {'text': "The relief pitchers aren't the only ones to blame. The starters' struggles in early August set them down this path, and only four teams in baseball have a worse OPS in the last month than the Red Sox (.659).", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cm0p84yws00543b7kgm6cltbq@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'So, what could have been done differently?', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cm0p8akjf005d3b7ke5r4usg6@published'}, {'data': {'text': "The first - and most important - step would have been to add more aggressively to the bullpen. Sometimes getting the under-the-radar relievers at the deadline works out, as has been the case with the Mets' acquiring Phil Maton from Tampa Bay for cash considerations. It also was a strategy that turned out to be palatable in 2021 with the additions of Austin Davis and Hansel Robles.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cm0p8axnw005m3b7kr4mdhj0m@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'But the difference in the case of the Red Sox was that ultimately their season was hinging on adding no-doubt-about-it late-inning arms - or at least perceived proven high-leverage pitchers. Michael Kopech. A.J. Puk. Jason Adam. Tanner Scott. It would cost you, but in this case, it would have been worth it.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cm0p8dyzq005v3b7kwtwmd2u9@published'}, {'data': {'text': "As for the starters and the hitters, the lesson learned should also involve the quest for experience. There was a lot of unknown territory for a lot of players heading into these final two months, with the Red Sox banking on a hope-for-the-best kind of strategy. Spoiler: They didn't get the best.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cm0p8i54f00643b7kkx63w1pw@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Ultimately, the ebbs and flows of the baseball season has led the 2024 Red Sox to who they probably are - a .500 team. They now have 22 games to prove otherwise.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cm0p8kf5k006d3b7kid65gpu7@published'}, {'data': {'text': "Next year might be different. More talent. More experience. More lessons learned. But this isn't next year. What it is, is another sad September for Red Sox fans. Different wrapping, same package.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cm0p8n4fc006o3b7kl0f02t2v@published'}], 'feedImg': {'data': {'alt': 'Alex Cora', 'url': 'https://images.radio.com/aiu-media/USATSI24014691168382640lowres-db38782c-67bf-4031-8ad1-64a633575d03.jpg', 'width': 2075, 'credit': 'USA Today Sports', 'height': 1381, 'mimeType': 'image/jpeg', 'sizeInBytes': '261329', 'componentVariation': 'feed-image'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/feed-image/instances/cm0p6pbj5000b01txu2m94syf@published'}, 'sources': [], '_version': 24, 'featured': False, 'headline': 'How the once hopeful Red Sox landed back at .500', 'msnTitle': 'How the once hopeful Red Sox landed back at .500', 'textTags': ['Boston Red Sox', 'newsletter', 'MLB'], '_msnTitle': {'shouldOverride': False}, 'apContent': None, 'isOpinion': False, 'pageTitle': 'How the once hopeful Red Sox landed back at .500', 'sideShare': {'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/share/instances/cm0p6pbj5000c01txr9uoaq4t@published'}, 'feedImgUrl': 'https://images.radio.com/aiu-media/USATSI24014691168382640lowres-db38782c-67bf-4031-8ad1-64a633575d03.jpg', 'feedLayout': 'small', 'showSocial': True, 'stationURL': 'https://www.audacy.com/weei', 'breadcrumbs': [{'url': '//www.audacy.com/weei', 'text': 'WEEI 93.7', 'hidden': False}, {'url': '//www.audacy.com/weei/sports', 'text': 'Sports', 'hidden': False}, {'url': '//www.audacy.com/weei/sports/red-sox', 'text': 'Red Sox', 'hidden': False}], 'contentType': 'article', 'seoHeadline': 'How the once hopeful Red Sox landed back at .500', 'stationName': 'WEEI 93.7', 'stationSlug': 'weei', 'dateModified': '2024-09-05T12:06:35.690Z', 'featuredNews': True, 'sectionFront': 'sports', 'fullWidthLead': False, 'shortHeadline': 'How the once hopeful Red Sox landed back at .500', 'syndicatedUrl': None, 'unityPageType': 'article', 'editorialFeeds': None, 'featuredSports': False, 'msnTitleLength': 48, 'seoDescription': 'With their sweep at the hands of the New York Mets, the Boston Red Sox have fallen back to .500 and 5 1/2 games out of a Wild Card spot. 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