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Craig Breslow Explains Red Sox's Stunning Offensive Turnaround originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Until two weeks ago, the Boston Red Sox's lineup was a mess.
Through May 18, the Red Sox averaged just 3.62 runs per game over their first 47 games. They were near the bottom of the league in numerous offensive categories, ranking 29th in runs, 29th in home runs, 29th in slugging percentage, 27th in wOBA and 30th in wRC+. In May, they went nine straight games with three runs or less -- their longest such streak since 2012.
In the second half of May, however, Boston's lineup has finally found its rhythm. In terms of wRC+, the last two weeks have been the team's two best offensive weeks of the season.
During an interview with NESN's Tom Caron prior to Tuesday's game against the Baltimore Orioles, Craig Breslow provided an explanation for the Red Sox's stunning resurgence at the plate.
"I think guys are starting to settle in, to understanding their roles, the way that they can contribute, to being themselves," Breslow told Caron.
To Breslow's point, several players have started heating up after slow starts, including Jarren Duran and Caleb Durbin. Boston's also gotten strong production from several bench players recently, including Mickey Gasper, Nick Sogard and Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
That's made the Red Sox's lineup considerably deeper, more potent and more productive, helping the team average 5.55 runs per game over its final 11 games of May.
Boston will need to keep it up in June, however, if it wants to overcome a tough schedule and make up some ground in the standings this month.
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