Red Sox Fan Favorite Brock Holt Joins Brewers

Brock Holt signed with the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday, ending a seven-year run in Boston. The 31-year-old infielder will make $3.25 million in 2020. Holt's deal includes a $5 million team option for 2021.

While Holt expressed a desire to return, the Boston Red Sox opted for a different path, signing infielder Jose Peraza earlier in the winter. Peraza, the 25-year-old who was non-tendered by the Cincinnati Reds at the start of the offseason, is under contract through 2022.

Holt hit a career-high .297 in 2019, smacking three homers and posting 31 RBIs. He played every position for the Red Sox except catcher, pitcher and center field. 

Brock Holt played for the Red Sox from 2013-2019. (AP)

Brewers manager Craig Counsell admitted he was unsure where exactly Holt will play in the field, but made it clear the super utility man is set for regular playing time.

“I told him that you don't know where you're going to play, you just know that we'll find a spot for you to play," Counsell said. “He comes with a great reputation from everywhere that he's been."

Leaving Boston was not an easy choice for Holt, a fan favorite known for his tremendous charity work.

“I loved it there. I loved playing at Fenway, I love the fans, I love the city,” Holt said. “I was a huge part of the community. So it was tough. It was tough for me to come to the fact that I wasn’t going back."

I honestly never expected to wear any other uniform but a #RedSox uniform. I loved it there."

Brock Holt admits it is very difficult leaving Boston, but that he "couldn't be more excited" to join the #Brewers clubhouse. pic.twitter.com/KWI4ZJJLIc

— Scott Grodsky (@ScottGrodsky) February 19, 2020

A one-time All-Star (2015), Holt won World Series championships with the Red Sox in 2013 and 2018. He was not active for the playoff roster during the '13 postseason, but played an integral role in the '18 championship campaign. 

Holt produced a performance for the ages in Game 3 of the 2018 ALDS against the New York Yankees. He went 4-for-6 with five RBIs in Boston's 16-1 blowout win at Yankees Stadium. Holt collected a single, a double and a triple before belting a homer in his final at-bat. Holt became the first player in MLB history to hit for the cycle in the postseason, a record that still holds to the day.

THANK YOU BROCK HOLT.

Only guy to ever hit for the cycle in the postseason.

Forever in the history books. Legend.

pic.twitter.com/sixtzBp9z1

— Savage Boston Sports 🇺🇸🍀❄️☃️ (@SavageBoston) February 18, 2020

Scorching-Hot Rafael Devers Joins Ted Williams in Elite Company

Rafael Devers is the first player to reach the 100-RBI plateau in 2019. 

The 22-year-old wrapped up his otherworldly week with a terrific Sunday, going 4-for-5 with a homer, two doubles and four RBIs in the Boston Red Sox’s 13-7 thumping of the visiting Baltimore Orioles.

pic.twitter.com/uy5pdGumLq

— Red Sox Stats (@redsoxstats) August 18, 2019

Completing a three-game sweep of the lowly Orioles, the Red Sox won their fifth consecutive contest. They still trail the Tampa Bay Rays by 6.5 games for the second AL Wild Card spot, but the monster production of Devers has made the Red Sox a must-watch.

Devers mashed his 27th homer of the season in Boston's win over Baltimore. (Michael Dwyer/AP)

Devers is the first player to register 100-plus runs and RBIs in a season before age 23 since future Hall of Famer Miguel Cabrera did so in 2005. The only other Red Sox player in franchise history to accomplish this feat was the legendary Ted Williams.

“Yeah, I mean, obviously it feels good to be a part of that group,” Devers said after Sunday’s win. “But overall I’m just trying to help the team as much as I can whether it’s baserunning, playing defense, that’s what I’m more focused on is just trying to contribute as much as I can to help the team win ballgames.”

During Devers’ eight-game hitting streak, he is 20-for-37 with eight doubles, four homers and 14 RBIs with a 1.656 OPS.

Devers leads MLB in hits (167), extra-base hits (76), RBIs (101) and total bases (300). Ty Cobb is the only other player in history to lead the league in these categories in his age-22 season, dating back to 1909.

Batting .332—the third-best in MLB—Devers has a shot at winning the American League MVP. Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout is currently the favorite to nab the award. Trout leads the AL in homers (41) and his MLB-best WAR (8.2) is far higher than Devers’ mark of 5.2.

New York Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu, who leads MLB in batting (.339) and ranks third in hits (156), is another strong candidate to win MVP. He has the same WAR as Devers and has been unquestionably the best player on the Yankees, who hold the top record (83-43) in baseball.

Red Sox Interested in Ken Giles, Kirby Yates

The Boston Red Sox are in serious need of bullpen assistance. Their relievers have combined to rank 18^th in MLB among bullpen ERA—blowing the fourth-most saves (18) in baseball and holding the third-worst save percentage (52.63).

Looking to address their bullpen woes, the Red Sox are reportedly interested in Toronto Blue Jays closer Ken Giles. They also are pursuing Kirby Yates of the San Diego Padres, though it seems unlikely he gets moved before the MLB trade deadline on July 31.

Yates, the 32-year-old All-Star, is under contract through the 2020 season. Yates has a major-league best 31 saves in 33 opportunities this season. He boasts a 1.05 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 70 strikeouts in 43 innings.

The Padres (47-52) have underachieved this season, but plan on competing in the NL West next year after signing Manny Machado in the offseason to compliment a roster flushed with young talent. The Red Sox would need to fork over significant assets to San Diego to acquire Yates.

A more reasonable target, Giles is also under team control through next season, but the Blue Jays (38-63) are in full-rebuild mode and are looking to stockpile young players. Giles owns a dazzling 1.64 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 57/10 K/BB ratio over 33 innings with the Blue Jays this season. The 28-year-old has 14 saves in 15 opportunities.

The Red Sox are pursuing Ken Giles in trade talks. (Evan Habeeb/USA Today Sports)

The Red Sox announced last week that Nathan Eovaldi would be the primary closer moving forward. The right-hander—who was activated from the 60-day injured list on Saturday after undergoing elbow surgery—was arguably the team’s most valuable player last postseason. He registered a 1.61 ERA in six appearances (two starts) across 22.1 innings in the playoffs, recording two wins against one loss to help the Red Sox capture the 2018 World Series.

If the Red Sox were to acquire a proven closer such as Yates or Giles, Eovaldi would presumably be moved into a setup role or back into the starting rotation.   

Red Sox Designate Eduardo Nuñez for Assignment

The Boston Red Sox designated utility man Eduardo Nuñez for assignment on Monday, likely ending his tenure with the franchise he helped win the World Series last year. 

The infielder hit just .228 with only two homers in 60 games with Boston this season.

Boston acquired Nunez from the San Francisco Giants prior to the 2017 trade deadline. He caught fire at the tail end of the 2017 season with Boston, hitting .321 with a .892 OPS. He mashed eight home runs with 27 RBIs in 38 games to help the Red Sox win the AL East. 

Nunez will be remembered most for his pinch-hit three-run homer in Game 1 of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park. Facing off against Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Alex Wood, Nunez cranked a home run over the Green Monster in left field, sending the Fenway faithful into a frenzy. 

NOON TIME.#WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/IFWyZwsix1

— MLB (@MLB) October 24, 2018

His three-run shot put the Red Sox ahead for good in the series-opening win. The Red Sox ultimately defeated the Dodgers in five games in the Fall Classic to capture the 2018 World Series title. 

Nunez appeared in 225 regular-season games for the Red Sox over two-plus seasons, hitting .268 with 20 home runs and 91 RBIs. He accumulated 18 stolen bases.

Despite being designated for assignment, Nunez had nothing but positive words to say about the Red Sox and their fans.

"I’d like to thank all Red Sox fans for all the great moments we shared and the amazing experience of being World Champions," Nunez said to ESPN's Marly Rivera. "I only have positive things to say about the Red Sox organization, and I know my career will go on.”

Betts Deserves to Win AP Male Athlete of the Year

Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts continues to rack up the awards. Betts was named the 2018 American League Most Valuable Player on Thursday after batting a major-league best .346 for the 108-win Red Sox. He is the first Red Sox player to win MVP since Dustin Pedroia claimed the crown in 2008.

Mookie Betts earned the 2018 AL MVP Award. (Billie Weiss/Getty Images)

Not only did Betts register the best batting average of 2018, he also led MLB in slugging, runs, and Wins Above Replacement (WAR). He is the first player in MLB history to win the battle title and produce a 30-30 season in the same year, slugging 32 homers and collecting 30 stolen bases.

In addition to being named AL MVP and helping the Red Sox win the World Series, Betts captured his second career AL Silver Slugger Award and earned an AL Gold Glove for the second time. He also won the Heart and Hustle Award, which is given to the player who “best embodies the values, spirits and traditions of baseball.” An accolade-filled 2018, could the Associated Press (AP) Male Athlete of the Year be the next honor Betts claims?

Houston Astros infielder José Altuve was named the 2017 AP Male Athlete of the Year. What did Altuve do to earn last year's honor? He was an AL Silver Slugger recipient, won the AL's battling title and MVP, and helped lead the Astros to a championship. Betts, of course, accomplished all of the aforementioned personal and team achievements in his incredulous 2018 season.

In the past year, Betts is the only athlete of the four major North American sports leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL) to win MVP and a team championship. Tom Brady of the New England Patriots won his third NFL MVP last season, but lost in the Super Bowl to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Houston Rockets’ James Harden led his squad to the best record in the NBA in his MVP campaign, but lost in the Western Conference Finals to the eventual NBA champion Golden State Warriors. Taylor Hall seized the NHL MVP crown, but his New Jersey Devils were eliminated in the opening round of the playoffs.

Betts led the Red Sox to the World Series title. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Combining individual excellence and team success, Betts posted the most impressive résumé of any athlete in 2018. He seeks to become the first Boston athlete to win the AP honors since Brady held the title in 2007 when he spearheaded the Patriots to a perfect regular-season record. The last Red Sox AP Athlete of the Year was Fred Lynn in 1975.

Taking home the AP Male Athlete of the Year Award would cap off an incredible year for Betts, who became a father on Nov. 6.

Celtics Hit Team-Record 24 3-Pointers, Beat Bucks

The Boston Celtics made it rain from downtown on Thursday night, sinking a franchise-record 24 three-pointers in a 117-113 victory to hand the Milwaukee Bucks their first loss of the season.

Kyrie Irving scored a team-high 28 points for the Celtics, making six treys. Al Horford had four triples in an 18-point outing with eight assists and five rebounds, Gordon Hayward added a season-high 18 points, including four 3-pointers, and Marcus Morris posted 17 points off the bench with five treys.

Marcus Morris celebrates after hitting a three-pointer. (Christopher Evans/Boston Herald)

The Celtics topped their previous club record of three-pointers (19) before the end of the third quarter and came one shy of tying the NBA record.

The World Series champion Boston Red Sox were honored at the TD Garden during a timeout in the first quarter.

YOUR 2018 WORLD CHAMPION BOSTON @REDSOX #DamageDone 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Te8bKXUhnV

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) November 2, 2018

Morris admired the way the Red Sox utilized most of their active roster to capture a title.

“That was special,” Morris said. “I’m a big Red Sox guy. I’d been watching them throughout the playoffs, even throughout the season. The way they came together and won that championship is special. The biggest thing is they had a lot of different guys step up. Even when guys played well, like when Brock Holt made the cycle, he sat out. (Andrew) Benintendi had a couple amazing catches and he sat out a game and they still won. That was special to watch that. They play together.” 

The Celtics have the best bench in the league and will look to take a page out of the Red Sox’s book by relying on their unmatched depth to win a championship. The Celtics' deep roster was on display against the Bucks as six players scored in double-figures, including 10 points from fill-in starter Semi Ojeleye, who replaced the injured Jaylen Brown (sore foot) in the first-unit. Backup guard Terry Rozier filled up the stat sheet with seven points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals in 27 minutes.

Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo returned to the lineup after missing one game recovering from a concussion and registered game-highs in points (33) and rebounds (11). But Milwaukee (7-1) played terrible defense all night, allowing Boston to take far too many uncontested three-pointers.

“We got a lot of open looks. We were taking what they were giving us,” Hayward said after playing a season-high 27 minutes.

The Celtics begin a five-game road trip on Saturday night against the Indiana Pacers, while the Bucks return home to host the Sacramento Kings on Sunday afternoon.

Red Sox Looking to Add Reliever

The Boston Red Sox are on pace to set a franchise record in wins. But that doesn’t mean they are completely satisfied with their current roster.

Bolstering their bullpen—which has been shaky in recent weeks—remains the top priority for Boston, according to multiple reports. Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports and Jim Bowden of The Athletic claim that the Red Sox are keeping their eyes on many relief pitchers with the non-waiver trade deadline approaching on Tuesday afternoon.

Red Sox still determined to add relief help. Looking into yates, kela, ziegler and many, many others. Have some luxury tax concerns as they are at an MLB high $238M already (not that they haven’t spent well; they have by far baseballs best record)

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 30, 2018

#Phillies #RedSox #Astros #Mariners “in” on practically every reliever available from Kela to Barraclough to Rodney to Norris to Clippard to Yates to Romo to Stammen to Parker to Conley to Diekman to Ziegler should be an interesting last 36 hours until trade deadline 4pm et  Tues

— Jim Bowden (@JimBowdenGM) July 30, 2018

The Red Sox are said to have significant interest in San Diego Padres relievers Craig Stammen and Kirby Yates. Boston recently scouted both pitchers, according to the Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo. Stammen, who has posted a 2.63 ERA with 58 strikeouts on the season, and Yates, holding a 1.6 ERA with 50 K’s in 2018, are on affordable contracts. Stammen signed a two-year, $4.5 million contract before the season. Yates is earning just over $1 million and has a few arbitration trips remaining.

Bud Norris could be another target for Boston, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. A free agent at the end of the year, Norris has registered a 3.14 ERA with a 41 percent ground-ball rate with the St. Louis Cardinals this season.

Bud Norris is having arguably the best season of his career. (Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Miami Marlins reliever Brad Ziegler has also been linked to the Red Sox. Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports that Ziegler (3.98 ERA) has received interest from the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians, as well. He is also a free agent at season’s end.

The Red Sox boast a 74-33 record and a 5.5 game lead over the second-place New York Yankees in the AL East. They are on pace to win 112 games, which would be their fourth 100-win season in franchise history and first since 1946. The 1912 Red Sox hold the team-record for most wins in a season with 106.

But the postseason presents another challenge for a Boston team that has won just one playoff contest in their last two playoff series. Given the recent struggles of Joe Kelly, adding another arm in the pen may be necessary to get the Red Sox over the hump in late-October.  

Craig Kimbrel on Hall of Fame Path

Craig Kimbrel has been everything the Boston Red Sox could have hoped for and then some.

Acquired in a blockbuster trade with the San Diego Padres before the 2016 season, Kimbrel has recorded 96 saves and 271 strikeouts as a member of the Red Sox. He was particularly deadly last season, striking out 126 batters—a rate of 16.0 K’s per nine innings—en route to winning the 2017 American League Reliever of the Year.

Making his third consecutive All-Star appearance in as many seasons with the franchise, the closer owns a 1.77 ERA with 30 saves in 2018.

Craig Kimbrel has made the AL All-Star squad in all three seasons with Boston. (Michael Dwyer/AP)

Even before his trade to Boston, Kimbrel was the king of the ninth inning. He won Rookie of the Year in 2011 and made four All-Star appearances with the Atlanta Braves from 2011-14—leading the National League in saves in each of those seasons. He was named NL Reliever of the Year in 2014.

The only year Kimbrel failed to reach the All-Star game was 2015, his lone season with the Padres. He was still effective that season, recording 39 saves and 87 K’s with a 2.58 ERA.

Already ranking 18th all-time in saves with 321, Kimbrel is on pace to become a Hall of Famer and one of the greatest relievers ever. He will be moving up on the saves leaderboard this year and for seasons to come. He has already established himself as a closing legend, who could one day earn an enshrinement in Cooperstown if he is to maintain this dominance for much of his remaining career—something he would like to finish in Boston.

“I’ve loved my last three years here. The city’s provided me and my family a lot,” Kimbrel, a free agent at season’s end, said to MassLive.com. “And we’re very grateful for that. And we’d love to stay. And we love the city. But the way the game works, we’ll see how things go when we get there.”

Mitch Moreland Earns All-Star Nod to Continue Improbable Season

Mitch Moreland wasn’t supposed to be the starting first baseman for the Boston Red Sox in 2018. And yet, the 32-year-old will be representing the American League in the 2018 All-Star Game.

The deck has long been stacked against Moreland after being selected in the 17th round of the 2007 MLB Draft. Only two players (Moreland and the retired Brandon Gomes) picked in that round reached the big leagues.

Moreland defied odds to earn a trip to the Mid-Summer Classic after beginning the year as the backup to Hanley Ramirez. He provided a steady bat and excellent defense in the games he played at the start of the season. Once Ramirez was designated for assignment on May 25, Moreland assumed the role of the everyday first baseman and maintained his success at the plate.

In 71 games played, he has posted a .288 batting average with a .358 on-base percentage, .525 slugging percentage, .884 OPS, 11 homers, 15 doubles, four triples and 43 RBIs.

Mitch Moreland was selected to the All-Star Game for the first time in his career. (Steven Senne/AP)

Earning his first All-Star nod as a part of the players’ vote, Moreland was in disbelief of his accomplishment.

“I didn't know if it would ever be quite possible,” Moreland said after learning the news before Boston’s win over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.

It was Red Sox manager Alex Cora who revealed in the clubhouse which of his players will taking part in the All-Star Game on July 17 from Nationals Park in Washington D.C. He announced Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez (both of whom were voted in by fans to start the contest), ace Chris Sale and closer Craig Kimbrel together—before mentioning Moreland’s name last to accentuate the first baseman’s honor.

“I'm very proud of all of them (the five Red Sox players selected to the All-Star Game) but to tell the team that he's [Moreland] an All-Star, that was amazing,” Cora said. “The reaction, you should see like David Price got up right away and gave him a hug. And it was a huge standing ovation.”

Cora recognized Moreland’s ascension from a reserve role to an AL All-Star selection.

“In the offseason, a lot of people didn't think he was going to be here for X or Y reason,” Cora said. “We decided to make a commitment with him. He didn't start the season as an everyday player. He earned it. We made a huge move because we wanted him to play every day.”

The first-time All-Star Moreland called his wife and father before Sunday’s game to let them know the terrific news. He received plenty of love from his teammates as well.

“Obviously everybody coming up and giving you hugs, and excited,” Moreland said. “They were just as excited as I was about it. Special.”

Red Sox Security Guard Tackles Fan Rushing the Field

The Boston Red Sox won their fourth straight game on Wednesday night, paced by a 5 2/3 innings, one-run showing by lefty hurler Eduardo Rodriguez. Andrew Benintendi and Christian Vasquez delivered solo homers in the 7-1 win over the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park.

Boston’s victory was overshadowed, though, by a Red Sox security guard tackling a heedless fan who ran onto the field.

A Red Sox security guard decked a fan who ran onto the field. (Charles Krupa/AP)

The fan made a dash in the outfield and evaded security for a bit, but was abruptly leveled by a security guard.


Here’s some views of the blindsided hit:

Fan gets wrecked by @RedSox security! pic.twitter.com/hXclDibGT9

— Michael Shepard (@mcshepard) June 7, 2018

@Jared_Carrabis @Steve_Perrault pic.twitter.com/79YiRmi92f

— Anthony Delmolino (@delmolino24) June 7, 2018

As if getting arrested wasn’t bad enough, the intruding fan will likely be aching for some time after that bruising takedown.

This crazy moment would have been intensified even further had legendary broadcaster Kevin Harlan been present to illustrate the action.

David Price Seems to Savor Being Hated

David Price doesn’t do himself any favors. After a reporter asked if his forearm bothered him after getting struck by a comebacker in the first inning, Price had a sarcastic response.

“You know me,” Boston Red Sox left-handed pitcher Price said. “I'm the softest guy in this clubhouse. If it bothered me, I'd be out of the game. I'm soft. … It wasn't painful. I'm fine. If it was painful, I would have come out.”

#RedSox pitcher David Price very sarcastic after the game today.  He took a liner to the chest and stayed in and got the win. This is likely in response to the carpal tunnel condition and how the media reacted to it. He calls himself "soft" a number of times. pic.twitter.com/U7Rc25fQVU

— Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) May 28, 2018

Following his five-inning performance—in which he allowed two runs to the opposing Toronto Blue Jays to earn his fifth victory of the season—Price went out of his way to revive the chatter regarding his apparent lack of toughness.

"I'm soft, period, Price said in a mocking tone. "It's not a joke. I'm soft. ... No. I'm soft. It's cold. Can't pitch. My hands tingling. Can't do my job. That's it."

Price has had a rocky relationship with the media, and the Boston fan base, since signing his record-setting seven-year, $217 million deal before the 2016 season. The feud with the media and fans reached its boiling point last month when Price missed a start against the New York Yankees due to a mild case of carpel tunnel syndrome. Rumors circulated that Price, an avid video game enthusiast, suffered the injury playing Fortnite. He denied that was the reason he got hurt, forcing him not to pitch against the Yankees—despite admitting the popular video game has “kind of taken over.”

Mocked by national and local media—and by many baseball observers—who felt he ducked the start to avoid getting racked by the heavyweight Yankees offense, Price clearly remains agitated by his detractors. He went out of his way to label himself “soft,” even after a successful outing that helped lead Boston to an 8-3 victory on Monday.

Price improved to 5-4 on the season, but his peculiar interview became the biggest story on Monday. (Elise Amendola/AP)

Refusing to just enjoy the win, Price apparently felt compelled to stir up controversy in his bizarre postgame interview. A year after cursing out Red Sox legend Dennis Eckersley on the team plane, he gratuitously fired back at critics who have noted his various strange ailments.

The real shame is that Price has actually pitched well since his carpal tunnel diagnosis. He has surrendered two runs or fewer in four consecutive starts, posting a 2.49 ERA in that span. But that is now overshadowed by his post-game comments that shows he is fixated on what outsiders think of him.

A five-time All-Star and former Cy Young winner, Price has been a major letdown in Boston. In his third year with the team, Price has a mediocre 4.10 ERA. That’s simply doesn’t cut it for a guy making $30 million per season.

As if his disappointing pitching wasn’t enough, these incessant off-the-field distractions make it harder for fans to like him. Maybe that’s simply the way the contentious Price prefers it.

Martinez and Betts, MLB's Best Hitting Tandem, Have Red Sox on Record Home Run Pace

The top hitting duo in MLB resides in the American League East. No, it’s not the New York Yankees’ slugging combo of Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. Instead, it’s Boston’s tandem of Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez.

The addition of Martinez, who signed a 5-year, $110 million contract with the Red Sox during the first week of Spring Training, to Boston’s power-starved offense—which ranked last in the American League in home runs last season—was (understandably) overshadowed by the Yankees’ acquisition of Stanton in a blockbuster trade with the Miami Marlins. But through nearly two months of the season, Martinez has panned out as baseball's best offseason addition.

Martinez blasted two homers on Sunday, the first one wrapping around Fenway Park's Pesky Pole in right field.

J.D. Martinez goes oppo-🌮 ... because what else is new? #RedSox pic.twitter.com/obqTYUAzqI

— NESN (@NESN) May 20, 2018

Connecting for a two-run shot in the fifth inning, Martinez collected his eighth career multi-homer game and his first with the Red Sox.

Your HR leaderboard update:
Mookie Betts - 15@JDMartinez14 – 15

This is getting absurd. pic.twitter.com/5d5ZgcOr22

— MLB (@MLB) May 20, 2018

Martinez and Betts are tied atop the MLB leaderboard in homers with 15 and have led Boston to a historic home run pace. The Red Sox have launched an MLB-leading 68 home runs. That is the most home runs the Red Sox (32-15) have ever mashed in the first 47 games of a season.

J.D. Martinez hit two homers in Boston's 5-0 win over Baltimore. (Michael Dwyer/AP)

The Red Sox are the first team since the 2001 Colorado Rockies to have two players hit 15 or more homers through 47 games. Not even the duo of David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez, one of the deadliest hitting combos in baseball history, accomplished this feat.

“The two guys I thought did it, Manny and David, never did it,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “It’s fun to watch. There’s nothing else I can say, it’s fun to watch.”

Martinez has 10 home runs in the last 18 games. Only Baltimore’s Manny Machado has more RBIs (42) this season than Martinez, who has drove in 41 runs. Martinez has recorded at least one extra-base hit in 23 games, the most in MLB. He’s on pace to belt a career-high 54 dingers.

While Martinez is the hottest hitter in baseball, Betts maintains the best résumé of the 2018 season. Betts leads MLB in batting (.365), runs, slugging, doubles and OPS. Boston’s leadoff hitter is also tied for the league-lead in hits and ranks second in OBP and WAR, trailing only Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout in those two categories.

Betts and the red-hot Martinez have the Red Sox—who are on pace to smash a franchise-record 234 homers—in position to be the best power hitting team in the league. That’s quite the turnaround from last season’s club, which clubbed an AL-worst 168 home runs.

Yankees Starters Flop in First Test vs Red Sox

            The New York Yankees had their pitching rotation’s purported top-3 starters—Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka and Sonny Gray—aligned for their midweek series against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

            All three fell flat on their faces versus their division rivals.

            Severino, the ace of the staff, relinquished five runs in five innings in the series opener. After posting a 1.38 ERA in his first two starts, he allowed a run to score in the first and three more in the second frame as Boston cruised to an eventual 14-1 victory.

Severino had a disappointing outing versus the Red Sox on Tuesday. (Michael Dwyer/AP)

            Aaron Boone, the rookie manager, even suggested the 24-year-old Severino may have been tipping his pitches.

             "We've addressed certain things in the past," Boone told The New York Post. "We've noticed things from time to time. We're always as vigilant as we can be with what he may or may not be doing."

            Although the Yankees won the next game—a contest highlighted by the brawl sparked by Boston’s reliever Joe Kelly and New York’s Tyler Austin—Tanaka was far from sharp on the mound. After the offense gifted him an 8-1 lead, Tanaka let the Red Sox back in striking distance after surrendering a grand slam to Red Sox newcomer J.D. Martinez in a five-run fifth inning. Tanaka managed to get the win, despite giving up six runs in five innings, but the Yankees couldn’t have been encouraged by his performance.

            Gray had the worst showing of the three. He gave up six runs and only lasted three innings, forcing the bullpen into a heavy duty day of work. The relievers registered five scoreless innings, but Gray dug the Yankees too big of a hole to recover as a late rally in the ninth fell short in a 6-3 defeat.

Gray struggled at a rainy Fenway Park on Thursday night. (Winslow Townson/AP)

            Boone recognized Gray’s struggles and noted how the right-hander will be a determining factor in the Yankees success this season.

            “It’s frustrating because he’s really important for us and we know what he’s capable of,” Boone said. “He’s coming off an outing where he gave us six strong innings and we feel like it will turn around for him, but tonight wasn’t the night.”

            The rotation was not expected to be the strong suit of the Yankees. The strengths of this team lie in the power hitting of the middle of the lineup and its top-notch bullpen. But the Yankees’ rotation can’t be this weak of a link if they are truly to contend for a championship.

          The starters have to perform better than this, especially against a Red Sox club that figures to be the Yankees’ biggest competition in the American League East.

Red Sox Sign J.D. Martinez, add Coveted Power Hitter

                The Boston Red Sox agreed to a five-year, $110 million deal with J.D. Martinez on Monday, giving them the slugger they yearned for all offseason. Martinez hit .303/.376/.690 with 45 home runs and a 166 OPS+ for the Detroit Tigers and Arizona Diamondbacks last season.  He was traded to Arizona at the trade deadline—where he smashed 29 homers and slugged .741 in just 62 games, helping the Diamondbacks reach the postseason.

J.D. Martinez is the newest member of the Boston Red Sox. (Christian Peterson/Getty Images)

                In two years, Martinez will have collected $50 million in this frontloaded contract and will possess the ability to leave in free agency. He has an opt-out clause after year three, as well, and can test the open market then if he so pleases. But whether Martinez stays in Boston for two, three, or five years, this was a necessary signing by Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski.

                The Red Sox had to add pop to a lineup that ranked dead last in the American League in home runs (168) last season.

                Expected to be the team’s designated hitter in 2018, the 30-year-old Martinez is of two players to hit over .300 with at least 125 home runs and a .550 slugging percentage since 2014—the other, according to ESPN Stats and Information, being Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout, a two-time AL MVP and six-time All-Star.

                Martinez is the most potent power hitter to be featured in Boston’s lineup since David Ortiz retired in 2016. He is the guy the Red Sox needed in order to keep pace with the heavy-hitting New York Yankees—now rostering arguably the two best home run hitters in baseball with Aaron Judge and the recently-acquired Giancarlo Stanton—the Cleveland Indians and the World Series champion Houston Astros in the loaded American League.

MLB Predictions 2017: Standings, Awards, Playoffs

American League

AL East

Boston Red Sox

New York Yankees*

Toronto Blue Jays

Baltimore Orioles

Tampa Bay Rays

AL Central

Cleveland Indians

Kansas City Royals

Detroit Tigers

Minnesota Twins

Chicago White Sox

AL West

Houston Astros

Seattle Mariners*

Texas Rangers

Los Angeles Angels

Oakland Athletics

National League

NL East

Washington Nationals

New York Mets*

Miami Marlins

Philadelphia Phillies

Atlanta Braves

NL Central

Chicago Cubs

St. Louis Cardinals

Pittsburgh Pirates

Milwaukee Brewers

Cincinnati Reds

NL West

Los Angeles Dodgers

San Francisco Giants*

Colorado Rockies

Arizona Diamondbacks

San Diego Padres

* Indicates Wild-Card Team

Awards

AL MVP: Mookie Betts, Red Sox

AL Cy Young: Félix Hernández, Mariners

AL Rookie of the Year: Andrew Benintendi, Red Sox

AL Manager of the Year: A.J. Hinch, Astros

NL MVP: Corey Seager, Dodgers

NL Cy Young: Noah Syndergaard, Mets

NL Rookie of the Year: Josh Bell, Pirates

NL Manager of the Year: Dave Roberts, Dodgers

Playoffs

ALCS: Indians defeat Astros

NLCS: Cubs defeat Nationals

World Series: Indians defeat Cubs