The Boston Red Sox entered the 2022 campaign with mixed emotions. The team failed to add much in the way of starting pitching and even lost Eduardo Rodriguez which thinned out their rotation. However, they were fresh off of a 2021 postseason appearance and signed star free agent Trevor Story.
But the Red Sox have played a mediocre brand of baseball so far this year. Boston currently sits in fourth place in the AL East as of this story's publication. And passionate Red Sox fans are already freaking out. So we figured we might as well take the top 2 overreactions into account and see if there is any legitimacy to Red Sox fans concerns and questions.
2 Red Sox Early Season Overreactions
The Red Sox Can't Compete in the AL East!
Boston has faced two AL East rivals so far in 2022: the Yankees and Blue Jays. Their overall record against both teams is 2-5. The AL East is arguably the deepest division in the MLB and the winner of the division is going to be battle-tested heading into the postseason. And Boston won't be the only team to struggle against divisional opponents this season.
However, can the Red Sox compete in the AL East?
The Blue Jays main issue in 2021 was starting pitching. So when Kevin Gausman recently tossed eight innings of shutout ball against the Red Sox, it became evident that Toronto is the most balanced team in the division now. They feature tremendous pitching, hitting, and defense. Their pitching additions were the main reason why many experts in the MLB world picked them not just to win the division, but to take home the American League Pennant as well.
But the Red Sox are going to be able to compete with the Yankees and Rays. Both New York and Tampa Bay did not make any drastic changes during the offseason. Yes, the Yankees added Josh Donaldson and Isaiah Kiner-Falefa. But Kiner-Falefa isn't exactly a franchise-changing player and Donaldson is past his prime.
The Rays are capable of winning based on their analytical-based approach. But on paper, the Red Sox roster is every bit as good as Tampa Bay's.
Final verdict: Yes and no. The Red Sox can compete with the Yankees and Rays. However, the Blue Jays seem like the team to beat in the division right now. Boston also is not expected be at full strength for road games in Toronto because of Canada's vaccination restrictions.
Alex Verdugo and Tanner Houck are Stars!
Alex Verdugo and Tanner Houck are off to impressive starts in 2022. And just like any fan base, Red Sox fans are already labeling these two as 2022 All-Stars. But we are just a couple of weeks into the season so there is plenty of time for Verdugo and Houck to fall off. But getting excited about hot starts is a part of the game. Just ask the Cleveland Guardians about Steven Kwan.
Verdugo has a track record which suggests he could be ready for a breakout. The outfielder was acquired by Boston in the Mookie Betts trade in 2020 and has hit over .289 in each of his first two seasons with the Red Sox. But power has been the main concern. Verdugo only hit 13 home runs in 2021 and he doesn't steal enough bases to warrant superstar status without an uptick in the slugging department.
But he already has clubbed 3 home runs in the early going and could be on track to hit over 20 home runs for the first time in his career. If Alex Verdugo is able to eclipse the .300 batting average mark with over 20 home runs, there is a strong chance he will have made the All-Star team.
Tanner Houck is far less proven, but has a higher ceiling. The young right-hander's official rookie season was in 2021 and he finished with a 3.52 ERA over 13 starts (18 games). Houck is off to a strong beginning to the 2022 season as his ERA currently sits at 3.21 and he has tallied 11 strikeouts over 14 innings pitching. His high K/9 potential mixed with his ability keep batters off-balance has Red Sox fans excited for the future.
Final verdict: Not an overreaction. Tanner Houck and Alex Verdugo are budding stars and Red Sox fans have the right to be excited for them.
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