The early season picture around Craig Breslow and the Red Sox is getting sharper, and it is not flattering. Through 25 games, Boston has been hit by a lack of offense that has surprised at least one National League executive. The concern is centered on power, run production, and whether the club’s lineup can correct course soon enough.
Boston’s offense has stalled early
The Red Sox entered the season coming off a playoff year, but their start has fallen short of that expectation. After three straight losses to the Yankees, Boston ranked last in slugging at. 331 and 26th in runs scored with 92. Those numbers have fueled the sense that the club’s bats have not matched the optimism around the roster.
The biggest issue has been the lack of home run production. Boston has hit just 14 home runs, with Marcelo Mayer, Roman Anthony, and Jarren Duran each at one. Ceddanne Rafaela and Carlos Narváez also have one apiece, while Caleb Durbin is still searching for his first career Red Sox home run and is batting. 141.
Craig Breslow and the power problem
An NL executive gave a blunt read on the situation, saying, “I have been surprised to see the lack of power from their offense. To see the trio of (Marcelo) Mayer, (Roman) Anthony and (Jarren) Duran with one home run apiece is certainly a bit surprising. ”
That reaction cuts to the heart of the issue facing Craig Breslow’s team. Some preseason projection systems were already cautious about Boston’s power, and the Red Sox have not yet shown enough punch to quiet those doubts. Only three players, including backup catcher Connor Wong, are slugging above. 340, which adds to the pressure on the lineup to produce more extra-base damage.
Pitching concern adds another layer
The offense is not the only area drawing attention. The same NL executive pointed to Garrett Crochet’s early struggles as another issue worth monitoring. “Crochet’s velocity is a concern and definitely something to monitor, ” the executive said. “(The Red Sox) deserve a lot of credit for that trade and that extension, but people forget his MLB innings last year basically matched the prior three years combined, so it wouldn’t be that surprising to see some fatigue this year. ”
For Craig Breslow, that adds a second layer of pressure: Boston needs both better run support and steadier pitching indicators if it wants to settle the early-season noise.
What comes next for Boston
The Red Sox now have a chance to respond in a three-game series against the Orioles. Friday’s opener begins at 7: 05 p. m. ET on NESN, giving Boston an immediate opportunity to show progress at the plate and ease some of the concern surrounding Craig Breslow and the club’s start. For now, the message is clear: the offense has to wake up fast if the Red Sox want to change the tone of this early stretch.
