Boston Red Sox Hot Streak: Confidence is Key

What is going on with the Boston Red Sox?!  They have now won seven of their last eight games, which include a sweep of the Miami Marlins. The team is finally getting into its groove after an abysmal start to the season.

The Red Sox defeated the Marlins 6-3 behind strong pitching from Rick Porcello, who has not recorded a win since late May. Porcello went six strong innings only allowing two runs, on eight hits, with four strikeouts. Big Papi paced the offense as he went 2-4 with a double, home run, and two RBIs. Papi’s home run broke the game wide open in the bottom of the 3rd as the Red Sox would go on to tack on two more runs in the inning.  The Sox would go on to win 6-3 and they are now averaging 6.8 runs per game and are 21-21 at home.

The Red Sox winning ways are mainly due to timely hitting and consistent pitching. In the last seven games, shortstop Xander Boegarts is hitting .462 with 12 hits and eight RBIs. Big Papi is also on a hot streak; he is hitting .250 with five hits, two home runs, and seven RBIs. Papi and Boegarts have accounted for nearly 40% of the Red Sox runs over the past week. The Red Sox pitchers, on the other hand, have been lights out.

Over the past week Red Sox pitchers are a combined 5-0 with a 3.35 ERA. They have been consistent and most importantly, they have been able to stretch deep into games. For example, Clay Buchholz the Red Sox ace, went nine strong innings and only allowed one run against the Astros in his last start. He is slated to face the Yankees, and Micheal Pineda, at Fenway on July 10th.

The Red Sox are only five games out of first place and they are in no way out of the running for the AL East Pennant. With their recent hot streak they have the ability to climb in the standings after the All Star break.