Nathaniel Lowe On Red Sox’s Mindset During Playoff Push: ‘We Expect To Win’

Nathaniel Lowe went from a last-place Washington Nationals team to a Boston Red Sox team fighting for a playoff spot. While the Nationals haven’t played a meaningful game in months, every game is critical for the Red Sox at this stage of the season.

After scoring the only run in Boston’s tense 1-0 victory over the New York Yankees on Friday night at a sold-out Yankee Stadium, Lowe called the change “refreshing.”

“It’s right there, right in front us every night. We need to win,” Lowe said. “It’s not pressure to win, it’s we expect to win, so it’s a lot of fun.”

Lowe, who signed a one-year contract with the Red Sox on Monday after being released by Washington, has been thrust into a postseason race. With 33 games to go, Boston leads the Yankees by half a game in the American League wild-card standings.

The 30-year-old first baseman spent his first two seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, so he understands the intensity of playing in the AL East. He also won a World Series with the Texas Rangers two years ago, so he knows how to handle pressure.

Lowe’s already proven that this week, coming through multiple times in big spots. He’s scored three runs and driven in four during his first four games with the Red Sox, providing an immediate impact as a starter and off the bench.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Lowe said of his new situation. He’s also been impressed by his new teammates so far.

“It’s a resilient group, and I feel like this group has a chance to win a bunch of different ways,” said Lowe.

Boston’s proved that in the Bronx this weekend, winning 6-3 on Thursday and 1-0 on Friday. Whereas recent Red Sox teams faltered at this stage of the season, this year’s club keeps finding ways to win.