When Boston was ten games over .500 in early August, it was too good to be true. Poor defense, injuries, and a weak pitching staff doomed them when it mattered most. The Red Sox now find themselves four games out of a playoff spot with 20 games to go. The chances of either the Twins or Royals collapsing for Boston to slip into the postseason aren’t high. This means that postseason baseball won’t be seen in Bean Town for the third year in a row. Given all the issues the Red Sox have dealt with all season, their latest late-season collapse was almost predictable.
Another Lackluster Trade Deadline
Embed from Getty ImagesHeading into the trade deadline, the Boston Red Sox were just two and a half games out of a wild card spot. They needed to add some impact pitchers to both their starting rotation and bullpen. Instead, Boston’s deadline was very underwhelming as they added James Paxton, Luis Garcia, Lucas Sims, Quinn Priester, and backup catcher Danny Jansen. These were hardly names to get excited over and all five of them have hardly made an impact.
Paxton, Garcia, and Sims have combined for an ERA of 7.57 and are all currently on the injured list. Meanwhile, Jansen has only put up an OPS of .592 since coming over from the Blue Jays. Priester has been in Triple-A Worcester the entire time he’s been with the Red Sox. It’s safe to say that James Paxton, Luis Garcia, and Lucas Sims all have been busts for the Red Sox in the second half. Boston’s failure to get impact players at the trade deadline is one reason why they collapsed down the stretch again.
Worst Defense In Baseball
In recent years, the Boston Red Sox have had many problems on defense. That trend seems to have continued this season. The Red Sox’s 101 errors committed in 2024 are the most in baseball. The next closest team to them is the lowly Miami Marlins who have committed 96 fielding miscues this season. Boston’s fielding percentage of .980 is also a league-worst. Lineup regulars Rafael Devers, Jarren Duran, and Wilyer Abreu all lead their respective positions in fielding errors as well. Utilityman Ceddanne Rafaela has had his issues defensively as he’s committed 12 fielding miscues as well. This has caused the Red Sox pitching staff to rank third in the American League in unearned runs at 675. With the Red Sox once again being a poor defensive team, it’s another reason why they experienced another second-half collapse.
A Weak Pitching Staff Hurt The Red Sox Again
Embed from Getty ImagesWhile Boston’s pitching staff got off to a surprising start, it was only a matter of time before their luck ran out. The only Red Sox starter who’s been productive this season is Tanner Houck. Meanwhile, Brayan Bello has regressed, Kutter Crawford has been mediocre, and Nick Pivetta showed that he’s not meant to be a starter. With Garrett Whitlock and Lucas Giolito out for the season, the Red Sox rotation has essentially been a starter short all season. The Sox tried making Cooper Criswell and Josh Winckowski into starters, however, they weren’t consistent enough. James Paxton was acquired to be that other starter but only made three starts before being placed on the injured list.
The Red Sox bullpen has been a disaster as well. The Red Sox bullpen has a combined ERA of 4.55. The only teams that have higher earned run averages are the Blue Jays and White Sox. Boston has also had a hard time keeping the ball in the yard as they’ve surrendered a total of 75 homers. The only teams who’ve given up more home runs are the Blue Jays and Rays. Boston was even desperate enough to sign 44-year-old Rich Hill to try and save them. However, that lasted just four games before he was designated for assignment. It hasn’t helped that the Red Sox bullpen has been without key pitchers at various points due to injuries. However, in today’s game, a reliable bullpen is necessary, otherwise a team has very little chance to win. Overall, given how badly the Sox pitching staff has struggled, it’s no wonder they collapsed like they did.
The Injury Bug
Embed from Getty ImagesBesides their fielding problems, injuries have almost been the story of the Boston Red Sox season. Before the season even began, free agent signee Lucas Giolito would be forced to miss the entire season with an elbow injury. Giolito’s injury would be a harbinger of things to come for the Boston Red Sox.
At various points this season, the Red Sox have had key injuries to multiple key players. Projected starters Triston Casas and Trevor Story spent most of the regular season on the injured list. Starters Garrett Whitlock, James Paxton, and reliever Isaiah Campbell are all out for the season. Tyler O’Neill has dealt with various injuries all year and made multiple trips to the injured list. Other key players like Brayan Bello, Nick Pivetta, Chris Martin, Justin Slaten, Cam Booser, and Masataka Yoshida had to miss time as well.
Currently, lineup regular David Hamilton and trade acquisitions Luis Garcia and Lucas Sims are all on the injured list. It’s hard to win when multiple key players get hurt and are forced to miss time. The amount of injuries Boston had caught up with them and led them to collapse like they did.
The Red Sox Late Season Collapse Shouldn’t Be A Shock
Embed from Getty ImagesWith the Red Sox having another lackluster trade deadline, injuries, poor defense, and pitching, their collapse was almost predictable. Boston’s playoff hopes are dimming as they are currently four games out of a wild card spot with 20 games remaining. Barring a “2007 Mets-like collapse” by the Royals or Twins, the Red Sox will most likely miss the postseason for a third straight season. Maybe if John Henry opens his purse, perhaps they won’t have the same second-half collapse again.
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