What is wrong with the Red Sox?

         As a passionate Red Sox fan, it is pretty hard for me to not write at least a little bit about the Sox. If you happen to be following the AL east at all, you will know that the Sox have pretty much tanked the past 13 games or so. Their last 13 games they have been 3-10. Now I say this because for a couple of games the Sox were holding onto a 10 game win-loss difference, meaning they had 10 more wins than losses. It was lasting for a fairly long time, and now the Sox are 4th in the AL east and clinging to .516 winning percentage, and boasting a 48-45 record. To be short, they're not doing that great. 

        Maybe part of the reason is the fact that Kike Hernandez is injured. He did bat .209 and had 4 HRs before he got injured in June. Hernandez was never a stellar player but was definitely an asset to the team.

       photo credit: NBC Sports

    I think that another reason is the lack of everyone stepping up. Rafael Devers is obviously the best on the team right now. Devers is batting .324 and has 22 homers. However, players such as J.D. Martinez, which Boston fans expect much of, are not reaching their full potential. In 2018, Martinez had 43 homers and batted .330. Martinez this season only has 9 home runs and is batting .302. Martinez doesn't even look like he'll finish the season with 20 home runs. He is failing Boston's expectations. Likewise with Xander Bogaerts, who Boston needs to do better.

        

"Bogie" is batting at .316 with 37 RBI

                              photo credit: Sports Illustrated

        Bottom line is: The Red Sox of 2022 can't be the Red Sox of 2018 unless some players step up. Not having Mookie Betts has obviously left some holes, but if the Red Sox hope to at least get into the playoffs, they're going to have to step up their game, stop making so many errors, and stay healthy, because the Yankees are taking off, and the postseason isn't far away.