The Red Sox are sitting outside the playoff picture, but there’s still a path forward. A weak American League could let Boston sneak into one of those three Wild Card spots.
Here’s the problem: this lineup has no pop whatsoever.
Boston ranks dead last in the majors with just 49 home runs. That’s not a typo. The Red Sox have managed fewer long balls than every other team in baseball.
“Boston — the Boston Red Sox, tenants of Fenway Park — ranks last in the majors in home runs. It seems impossible for even a bad Red Sox team to do that,” ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle wrote Wednesday. “Boston has fewer homers at home than any other team and is averaging 3.3 runs per game at Fenway while going 10-21 there.”
Let’s put this in perspective. The Yankees have hit 97 homers this season – nearly twice what their rivals have managed. Ben Rice and Aaron Judge, who’s currently on the IL, have combined for 35 of New York’s long balls.
That’s just two Yankees players hitting 71% of what the entire Red Sox lineup has produced.
The Red Sox are averaging 3.3 runs per game at Fenway while going 10-21 at home. When you can’t even take advantage of your own ballpark, that’s telling you something about the state of this offense.
What’s Next?
Should Boston add power at the deadline? That depends on where they’re sitting come August 3rd. But right now, this lineup desperately needs help in the slugging department if they want to turn things around.
The good news is that the American League isn’t exactly loaded with juggernauts this year. If the Red Sox can find some thump – whether through trade or internal development – they might still have a shot at October baseball.
