With three losses in their four games since the All-Star Game, including the wild walk-off loss to the Phillies on a catcher’s interference on Monday, the 10-game winning streak that had the Red Sox riding high heading into the break feels like a distant memory. The Red Sox still have two more against the Phillies, followed by a three-game set at Fenway against the Dodgers.
If this difficult schedule run against National League contenders was meant to be a measuring stick for Boston, so far, the Red Sox have failed to make their mark.
Still, with the trade deadline looming in nine days and with the team still well-positioned for a wild-card spot, the Red Sox can be expected to approach the coming days as though they are a contender. Given the fact that expectations were high coming into the year, and that much is riding on at least earning a postseason spot after the controversial trade of star Rafael Devers, Boston probably will go full bore in addressing its holes on July 31.
Red Sox’s Alex Bregman Takes Reins as Leader
One guy who is a believer in this group has been the biggest catalyst for change around the team: third baseman Alex Bregman, whose signing set into motion the series of events that led to Devers being dealt. The addition of Bregman, plus the calling up of top prospects Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer, have caused the team to evolve over the course of the season.
Speaking to ESPN this week, Bregman said, “These guys have been here for a few months now. We’re starting to learn who we are as a group. The adjustments are being made quicker at this time of the year. It didn’t start out that way, but guys are wanting to learn and get better. You can see that in our growth this year.”
Bregman has been credited for his efforts to mentor Anthony, Mayer and the other young Red Sox. He missed a month with a quad injury, but he is batting .292 with 12 homers and 38 RBIs in 57 games. For him, the Red Sox are on more than a hot streak–they’re just a better team.
“We’re a very dangerous team now, especially when we’re prepared and executing,” Bregman said. “We’ve played good for a while now. People will say this is a hot streak, but I believe this is who we are.”
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