Possible first base solutions for the Red Sox
What is the best way to describe this Red Sox team? They are seemingly treading water. Thirty-six games in, that's a problem. Swim lessons should be over.
They are 18-18. After Sunday afternoon's 5-4 loss to the Twins the Red Sox now have more one-run losses than any other team in baseball (4-9). It's a group that has dropped seven consecutive in games decided by three or fewer runs.
The Red Sox are still firmly entrenched in the postseason conversation, living life two games out of the American League East division lead, and 1 1/2 behind in the Wild Card race. But ...
By this time, the expectation was that this team should be better than this. Living up to expectations has been an issue.
The latest loss was a microcosm of the Red Sox' reality. They get the dominant start from the guy who is being counted on for such outings, Garrett Crochet. The offense storms out to a 3-1 lead. And they only strikeout a total of six times. But ...
The bullpen continued to emerge as the most consistent concern, with the combination of Garrett Whitlock and Justin Slaten allowing a combined four runs after Crochet's exit. It was the Sox' eighth blown save in 16 opportunities, the worst in all of baseball. And in the last seven save chances, the bullpen has converted just one time.
The tone throughout the Red Sox was that they will figure it out, and maybe they well. Liam Hendriks - who came on in the ninth to pitch his fifth straight scoreless outing - could be part of the solution. And the recent ineffectiveness of Whitlock and Slaten seems like a solvable scenario. But ...
Locking in on membership in baseball's Big Boy Club remains an issue. Almost. Not quite.
The Red Sox have more plate appearances with runners in scoring position than any team in baseball with the exception of the Cubs. Seems good, right? They have the 19th-best batting average in such situations.
It's a pitching that has gotten to more 0-2 counts than any other club. Again, solid stuff. The problem is that only two teams have worst OPS against after getting to those 0-2 counts.
Those are just a couple of examples of how the Red Sox - arguably the most talented team in a dysfunctional American League - are knocking on the door, but have yet to be invited in.
All so close. Yet, too many times it seemingly feels so far away.
"Just got to keep working," manager Alex Cora said, "and things are going to change."