Five teams to watch in MLB’s second half

Boston Red Sox

Jul 5, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) celebrates rounding the bases after Boston Red Sox left fielder Hanley Ramirez (13) hit a two-run home run as Houston Astros shortstop Marwin Gonzalez (9) walks away during the seventh inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Don’t look now, but the seemingly dead-and-buried Boston Red Sox have lifted themselves back into the mix in the tightly-wound American League East.

Before dropping two of three to the Yankees before the break, the BoSox had won four straight series. Despite being nine games back on June 15, they now find themselves within a more manageable 6.5 games of the top. For a team with some experience on the comeback trail, reports of their demise may have been exaggerated.

But if the Red Sox are going to keep moving in the right direction, they are going to need more consistency from their pitching staff. Only Clay Buchholz and Eduardo Rodriguez own ERAs under 4.00, and the former just landed on the DL. They will hope for Buchholz to return quickly and for the 22-year-old Rodriguez to keep throwing at a high level. Wade Miley has pitched better of late, and they will also expect to see much better things from $82.5 million man Rick Porcello.

Offensively, if offseason acquisitions Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval can get into a rhythm behind Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts, this should be a lineup that scores significantly more runs than it did in the first half. David Ortiz has struggled this year, and his performance could be the Sox’s linchpin moving forward.

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