The Boston Red Sox were expected to be a playoff contender. With their strong lineup and pitching staff, they were a favorite to emerge from the AL East, even if there were questions about the bullpen and the division had improved. However, the Red Sox just found ways to win in the past, especially with Alex Cora at the helm.
That is not the case thus far in 2022. The Red Sox are 10-19 entering Monday, dead last in the AL East and one of the worst teams in baseball. Even the Reds have won a game more recently than the Red Sox have. Virtually everything that could have gone wrong to begin the season has.
Boston Red Sox not getting better any time soon
Not only have the Red Sox lost five games in a row and have a worse record than the A’s and Orioles, but it may only be getting worse. They have had plenty of issues over the past week, as the hits keep on coming.
In that time, the Red Sox blew two ninth inning leads, underscoring their bullpen issues. Rich Hill tested positive for COVID, putting an additional strain on a disappointing pitching staff. Speaking of that pitching staff, both Chris Sale and Jamex Paxton had setbacks in their rehab. And Michael Wacha, who could be considered their best starter thus far, was placed on the Injured List.
The hits do not stop with the pitching staff. Trevor Story has already been booed at Fenway. Bobby Dalbec, along with the Red Sox entire outfield and catching situation, has been a disaster. They cannot hit, the bullpen cannot pitch, and the losses are piling up.
It is still relatively early in the season. We are just starting to reach the quarter pole of the year, that time when teams are able to get a sense of who they are. In the Red Sox case, this is not a reflection that they want to see.
The Boston Red Sox may have reached rock bottom. It is difficult to imagine their 2022 campaign getting much worse than it already is.