Early Observations

The Boston Red Sox have played twelve full games this season. So far, they've shown some definite improvements over last year, but that doesn't mean they're perfect or even meeting their full potential. There are some real concerns with this team too. Here are a few observations I have taken from the Red Sox in the early going:

1 - John Farrell has... struggled
Red Sox fans are begging for some consistency with the lineup. Farrell insists on continuously giving his players excessive days off. David Ortiz taking a day off here and there is understandable. Between his age and the Achilles issues he's had in the past, it is for the best to keep the heart of the lineup healthy. But Dustin Pedroia randomly got a day off against last year's division champion, Brock Holt, the declared "everyday leftfielder", has sat three games in a row now, and of course there was the David Price benching despite him being on regular rest. It is important to note that while this may seem minor, this is a trend that has continued from Farrell's first few years as manager. Additionally, his blunders of letting Chris Young hit against a righty in the 9th inning of a close game Sunday, as well as opting to take Junichi Tazawa out after getting a single out against Toronto on Monday, have been crucial mistakes.

2 - Is something wrong with Jackie Bradley Jr.'s arm?
JBJ had two throws to the plate early this season and both throws were way off. If this was Jacoby Ellsbury, I would understand it. But JBJ is known for his rocket arm and hopefully there is no concern there.

3 - Travis Shaw is a beast
Farrell - STOP PINCH HITTING FOR SHAW. Shaw is hitting .342 and had two monster hits in the last two 9th innings. On Sunday he launched a two run homer off of Toronto closer Roberto Osuna, bringing the Sox within two runs of a tie game. Farrell went on to blow that game. On Monday, Shaw launched a 9th inning RBI double to bring the Red Sox within two runs again. The man is cold as ice and deserves his at bats. If you are going to dub him the starting third baseman, then let him BE the starting third baseman.


4 - Brock Holt is a career .289 hitter against lefties... why doesn't he get to face them?

A big deal was made of Brock Holt being labeled the starting left fielder. He started off hot, hitting two home runs in the first few games. There are rumors about his foot injury keeping him out of the lineup, but if he is healthy, he should be an everyday player. Not a platoon player. Maybe against lefties Holt can alternate between taking Shaw, Ortiz, or JBJ's spot - just to get that extra righty (Chris Young) in the lineup, but Holt can hit lefties and he should be in there.


5 - Hanley Ramirez is fine at first base
Actually, I will go further and say he is great at first base. There was one pop up that cost the Red Sox big time where Hanley probably should have called off Blake Swihart and caught the ball. With that said, Swihart still should have caught it. Other than that, Hanley has been great. He looks like he is having fun and he is hitting. FINGERS. CROSSED.

 
6 - Why did I see so much of Noe Ramirez?
He is putrid. Thank goodness he was sent down.

7 - Mookie Betts has looked awful
 He had a great year last year, a monster Spring Training, and an excellent first game of the season. After that, he has been pretty horrible. It is just a slump, but it is costing the Red Sox runs. Against Tampa Bay tonight he came up with the bases loaded and no one out. He grounded into a fielders choice that easily could have been turned into a double play but instead the ball was thrown home for the force out and no runs scored. It was a huge out, and a microcosm of this slump Mookie is in. I am not worried about him, but perhaps a drop in the lineup might get him going. The Red Sox need runners on for Hanley Ramirez and David Ortiz.

8 - The power still hasn't appeared for Xander Bogaerts
Many projected an increase in power from Bogaerts this year. Granted, he has a solid three run homer already in the early going but he continues to hit balls on a line up the middle. Unless he changes up his swing mid-season, I don't think Bogaerts is going to hit much more than ten home runs.


9 - Runners left on base
One of the most frustrating things about the Red Sox since they traded Adrian Gonzalez (except for 2013, although it happened plenty that year as well), has been the never-ending squandered opportunities. The Sox finished in the bottom half of the league in amount of runners left on base last year and they are on pace to do it again this year. Please start getting those guys in. Of course, a team with a strong offense is more likely to have guys on base which ultimately means they're more likely to LEAVE guys on base. But watching this team, I can't help but always feel like they blow opportunity after opportunity, no matter the final run total.


10 - Stop pitching Kimbrel in non-save situations
I do not know what it is. I don't have an explanation. But the fact is - closers SUCK in non-save situations. They always do. Two non-save situations have ballooned Kimbrel's ERA and caused the Red Sox to lose two games. In save situations, though, he is four for four. This isn't a "Craig Kimbrel" thing, it is a "closer" thing. Just don't pitch them in non-save situations, MLB managers!