The first half of the 2014 season was underwhelming for the Boston Red Sox. But there’s a lot of baseball left.
The Red Sox entered the All-Star break on the heels of five wins in six games, and things suddenly appear to be trending in the right direction despite Boston digging itself a big hole in the American League East. The Red Sox still could make the playoffs for several reasons.
The defending World Series champions finished the first half with a 43-52 record. The club endured a 10-game losing streak, featured an anemic offense and cut ties with three veterans — A.J. Pierzynski, Grady Sizemore and Chris Capuano — who were signed over the offseason. To put it lightly, things weren’t pretty, especially when one considers the incredible consistency of the 2013 team.
A host of exciting, young prospects have made their way to Boston, though. There’s a new look and feel as Boston prepares for its final 67 games of 2014, and it could lead to better days. Sure, overcoming a 9 1/2-game deficit in the AL East or an eight-game deficit in the wild card race isn’t going to be easy — the Red Sox only have a 2.8 percent chance of making the postseason — but don’t expect the Sox to just roll over and die.
