What’s Wrong with the Red Sox?

By Tyler Bard

Photo Credit: AP

What is going on with these slumbering Red Sox? Is it that the pitching is just not where it used to be, or is there something not meshing in the lineup? We’ve seen the Red Sox in their best form just two years ago, so what could have possibly changed so dramatically that they are now one of the worst teams in baseball?

Kevin Pillar, one of the newest faces of the Boston Red Sox seems to have some insight into what is going on in BeanTown. It may not be as simple as we all thought either.

“Especially for us, I believe, with the configurations we have in Fenway, not having the locker room dynamic, it’s been extremely difficult to get on the same page with a lot of people,” It would seem that Covid-19 is to blame for the hardships that the Red Sox are facing at this time. “It’s been a challenge and we just, like I mentioned, we just need to find ways to stay together and find ways to make this fun.” It’s hard to say whether this is just an excuse to raise his own spirits or a real reason as to why The Red Sox have been struggling.

We can look at the way the Red Sox have won championships in the past. When looking at the last 4 World Series Championship teams, you will see that they were having more fun than maybe any other team in baseball. I want to specifically focus on the 2013 Champions.

Coming off of a heartbreaking end to the 2011 Season and a true bummer of a 69 win season in 2012. Nobody had the Red Sox going on to win the World Series in that off-season. The camaraderie of that team was palpable and they had no lack of talent. The band of bearded brothers had baseballs full attention in 2013, and some could argue that it was because of their chemistry.

We look at the team from nine years earlier, The 2004 Red Sox, who were a bunch of misfits put together to become an absolute force to be reckoned with and they were going to be sure to give the Yankees a run for their money in the AL East. Big personalities like David Ortiz, Johnny Damon, Kevin Millar, Pedro Martinez, and Curt Schilling made for an interesting group of likeable players, led by one of the all-time great managers, Terry Francona.

So, maybe Pillar makes a valid point, The Red Sox always seem to be most successful when they are vibing and having an incredible time in the dugout. The 2004, 2007, 2013, and 2018 Red Sox were an absolute pleasure to watch due to their chemistry and dominance. 2020 may not be the year for the Red Sox, but maybe moving forward, the team will find a way to mesh on a level where they are comfortable to move forward and begin a new chapter of championship reigns.

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