It has already been quite an up and down season for the Boston Red Sox so far but the team has used grit and determination to climb up the divisional standings. The team was forced to play 17 games in a 17 day period and have been affected by a number of injuries to key players. Unlike other teams within the league the Red Sox have not let the schedule or the injuries get to them and have just kept playing the way they are expected to.
While nothing has come easy for the team they have managed to compile a record of 20 and 12, which is the third best mark in the league. It is quite amazing that the team has been able to compile such a good record with a number of superstars struggling or injured. David Ortiz has yet to hit a homerun and starting pitchers John Lester and Josh Beckett have been inconsistent. Unpredictably it has been the play of guys such as Tim Wakefield, Kevin Youkilis and Jason Bay that has held the team together. Aside from these guys, the attitude within the locker room can be attributed with a lot of the credit for a good season so far. The role players have stepped up and the right time and team has a certain aura and chemistry that just doesn’t exist with teams such as the New York Yankees.
While the Yankees seem to continuously think of excuses every week, while still raising ticket prices, the Red Sox just show up to play. Consider last week. The team lost Kevin Youkilis to injury, Jacoby Ellsbury missed a few games, Dustin Pedrioa and David Ortiz also sat out. Yet the team still managed to string together some wins and also put up 12 runs in one inning.
The Red Sox were able to tear apart their division by sweeping the Yankees and winning their series against the defending AL champion Tampa Bay Devil Rays. In reality it is scary to think how good this time could become later into the season. The big name stars have yet to make an impact and the pitching has been relatively lackluster. If guys like Beckett and Ortiz come around and play the way they are expected to, the Red Sox could walk away with the American league title.
It is overcoming conflict that has the ability to light a fire under a team. We have seen a number of teams walk through the season with easy wins only to lose then the going gets tough or when the playoffs come around. The Red Sox have already battled through a full season of conflict and problems and look poised to take a major step in the right direction. Once everyone becomes healthy and the studs start living up to their potential, the entire MLB should watch out. The Boston Red Sox are for real this year and it doesn’t seem that any tough schedule or injury can stand in their way
Drill Down:
Red Sox,
John Lester,
Josh Beckett,
New York Yankees,
Dustin Pedrioa,
David Ortiz,
Tampa Bay Devil Rays,
MLB
