By Toby Morollo
Sports Reporter
After finishing up a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Boston Red Sox continue their final road trip of the season in Baltimore. The Red Sox are playing sharp baseball, maintaining a record of 7-3 in their last 10 games.
The Red Sox resurging hitting has been influential during their series in Tampa, as they are batting with a team average of .300 in the past three games. In a key win on Friday night, the Sox rallied from a 5-2 deficit in the 9th inning to tie the game, ultimately sealing the win with seven runs in the 15th inning, winning 13-6.
With only 15 games left in the regular season, each game is key for the Red Sox, who are in a battle to win their division, the AL East.
The Red Sox have a great chance to pull way ahead in the division as they go into their next series against the Orioles. Though the Orioles are ahead in the season series 11-6, they have been on a losing streak lately. In their latest series, against the Yankees, the pitching staff gave up a total of 34 runs. The hot Red Sox bats should be able to capitalize on poor pitching, and they will march out strong pitching of their own. Doug Fister, Drew Pomeranz, and Chris Sale will take the mound for the Red Sox against the Orioles, all phenomenal in their last few starts.
After Baltimore, the Red Sox finish up the road trip with a three-game set against the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds at this point stand in last place in the NL Central division, 17 games behind the Cubs. Rick Porcello will start off that series, coming off a win against the Rays, in which he threw seven shutout innings.
Following the Reds, the Red Sox face the Toronto Blue Jays at home, a team they are 5-1 against this season. Chris Sale and Drew Pomeranz are both expected to pitch this season, and both lefties have shut down the Blue Jays all season.
The Red Sox complete the regular season with a four-game series hosting the AL West leaders, the Houston Astros, in a potential playoff preview. The Red Sox will face a challenging Astros team, with stud pitching and a young, dynamic offense which has propelled them to a record of 90-58. This season against the Astros, however, the Red Sox are 2-1, last playing Houston back in June.
The Red Sox need to continue to play strong and smart offense in their last two weeks of the season if they want to lock up a playoff spot. Rookie Andrew Benintendi has been a key part of the offense, with a strong batting average of .277, 19 home runs, and 19 stolen bases. Mookie Betts leads the team in homers with 22 and RBIs with 90, adding 20 steals of his own.
The Sox pitching needs to finish with a bang. Ace Chris Sale had a rough month of August, going 3-3 with a season record of 13-4 beforehand, but Pomeranz continues to pitch well this season with a record 16-5 and an ERA of 3.28. Along with dominant starters, the Red Sox bullpen has been among the best in the major leagues. Closer Craig Kimbrel has had 33 saves this season, finishing up many tight games this season.
Though the Red Sox have held the first place spot for months over the rival Yankees, New York is just three games back. Each win is crucial in extending the lead over the division and stopping the Yankees from catching up.
Heading into the last two weeks of the regular season, Boston’s magic number to clinch the AL East is 11 and is just 6 for a playoff spot.
