Who should win the end-of-season MLB awards?
It didn't mean as much as the Red Sox had hoped, but it was something.
For the first time since June 18, 2023, the Sox came away with a doubleheader sweep, Sunday, this time taking both games from the Twins in convincing fashion - winning Game 1, 8-1, before taking the second one, 9-3.
A few weeks ago, such an outcome would be perceived as just what the doctor ordered when it came to the Red Sox' quest for a spot in the postseason. Unfortunately for Alex Cora's team, the final prognosis had already been administered.
With six games to play, the Red Sox reside four games out of the final wild card spot, now chasing both the Tigers and Royals with the Twins and Mariners still sitting in front of the Sox.
What these two games represented was how good it can be for a Red Sox team that has been the epitome of one step forward and one step back all season long, as their 78-78 record would suggest.
It was a day full of too-little, too-late reminders ...
TRISTON CASAS
The first baseman single-handedly put the Sox on his back in Game 1, homering in each of his first three plate appearances. As Casas explained, it was the first time in his life he had hit three home runs in a single game - not even accomplishing the feat when playing video games.
"Right before the third one, I was next to Ref (Rob Refnsyder) in the bathroom, and he said, 'You're going to do it again,'" Casas explained. "I was like, 'Shhhh … Don't say it.' And then I did. And he told me, 'I told you.' So … Thanks, Ref.
"He calmed me down. I told him I was nervous. But he was like, 'Just go do the same thing you were doing the last couple of times.' I was like, 'Yeah, easier said than done.'"
It was a positive step in the right direction for Casas, who has now hit .239 with a .736 OPS in his 35 games since returning from a rib cartilage injury. Before Sunday, he had homered just once since Aug. 25.
THE OFFENSE
Where do you start?
For starters, the Red Sox collected 10 or more hits in consecutive games for the first time since Aug. 16-19. It also marked just the second time in the last 34 games they have scored as many as eight runs.
During that more-than-a-month stretch, the Sox had scored three or fewer runs a whopping 20 times, going 3-17 in those games.
This was a different image.
They not only totaled 17 runs on 21 hits, but also managed four home runs (the non-Casas blast coming on a 448-foot homer from Romy Gonzalez in Game 2) while actually walking eight times. For the day, the Red Sox totaled an OPS of .951.
KUTTER CRAWFORD
In Game 1, Nick Pivetta offered a more-than-acceptable performance, giving up just one run over five innings. But it was Kutter Crawford's showing in the second game - when he recorded an out in eighth inning for the first time in his career. (It was the third time a Red Sox pitcher got an out in the eighth this season.)d
Considering the unknown of Crawford's existence heading into this season, the season has to be considered a significant success for the righty. After his 7 2/3 innings - in which he gave up three runs and matched his career-high in pitches thrown (101) - the starter has managed 179 1/3 innings over 32 starts, totaling a 4.17 ERA.
The Red Sox starters have now posted a 2.52 ERA in their last 26 games. And, Sunday, it culminated in a rare tip of the hat by the group's most recent participant.