BOSTON — What can the Red Sox do to snap themselves out of the funk they currently find themselves in? John Farrell is open to suggestions.
The Boston manager was unable to provide any concrete solutions for his team’s struggles — which have been particularly dire in the run-scoring department — after it dropped a 2-1 decision to the Texas Rangers on Thursday night.
“We’ve got to get the players that we’re counting on, we’ve got to get them going,” Farrell said. “Whether or not there’s roster changes, nothing is here to be announced at this moment.”
The most obvious change — and one that, based on Farrell’s comments this week, might be forthcoming — would be the promotion of Triple-A outfielder Rusney Castillo to shore up the Red Sox’s right field situation. The position has been a mess for the Sox this season, and just as Shane Victorino appeared to finally be hitting his stride, a sore calf rendered him unavailable for Thursday’s tilt.
Daniel Nava, who started all three games of the series in right, went 1-for-3 with two strikeouts in the finale but still is hitting well below the Mendoza Line this season, and it appears that Jackie Bradley Jr. will be used strictly in a pinch runner/defensive replacement capacity for the time being.
Production out of their right fielders hasn’t been the only issue for Boston, though — a point Farrell has made to shut down notions that a Castillo call-up would be a cure-all. The Red Sox as a team rank last in the American League (and 29th in the majors) in batting average with runners in scoring position this season, and they’ve been held to two runs or fewer in seven of their last nine games.
“We’ll take a look at every opportunity to see if there’s an adjustment to be made,” Farrell said, “but it’s not like we’re looking at one spot in the lineup that’s a glaring hole. We collectively have to continue to trust one another, and I’ve said it many times over: When we use the whole field with an offensive approach, then we’re pulling off less pitches than what might otherwise be.”
A potential change might not be roster- or lineup-related, either. Judging by Farrell’s response when a reporter asked whether he’d consider the old manager trick of canceling batting practice, anything and everything seems to be on the table.
“The one thing that we’ve believed heavily in and somewhat prided ourselves in is the approach that we take,” Farrell said. “It’s proven to be successful over time. Yeah, no denying the offensive rut that we’re in. Probably similar to the lineup, I’m not ruling anything out. We’ll take a look at everything.”
Thumbnail photo via Charles Krupa/Associated Press
