Boston Red Sox 2022 hopes will be determined in next few weeks
The Boston Red Sox have been one of the more impressive teams in baseball lately. After a dreadful 10-19 start that left them in the AL East basement, they have gone on a 29-12 run to climb up to third in the division. The Red Sox currently hold one of the Wild Card spots and have gone from probable sellers to buyers in the span of a few weeks.
It is easy to see where they have been able to gain ground. As noted by Chris Cotillo from MassLive.com, the Red Sox are 28-17 against teams with a losing record. However, when they face teams with a winning record, the Red Sox are 11-14.
Boston Red Sox facing tough road ahead
The next few weeks may determine whether or not the Red Sox are actually postseason contenders. Their next two series come against teams directly ahead of them in the standings – the Blue Jays and the white hot Guardians. Those games could be important later in the year for seeding purposes.
But the Red Sox need to get there first. Not only are their next two series against winning teams, but they are also facing the Rays and Yankees twice before the All Star Break. Then, once the break is over, they kick off the second half with a series against the Blue Jays.
Those seven series may determine the Red Sox path for 2022. If they can manage to be close to .500, and are still holding or close to a playoff berth, then it would be time to buy. Having the likes of Chris Sale, Garrett Whitlock, and Nathan Eovaldi back on the pitching staff will make a major difference. However, that will not matter if the Red Sox cannot beat the better teams in the league.
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The Boston Red Sox have struggled against teams with winning records. If that does not change in the next few weeks, their playoff hopes could take a hit.