As the MLB season inches to its conclusion, some teams are marching towards the postseason with title aspirations, while some teams are looking back and wondering what went wrong. The latter describes the Boston Red Sox.

In 2021, the Red Sox defied expectations following a 24-36 record in a pandemic-shortened season, which came after missing the playoffs the year prior as well. Compiling a 108-114 record over two seasons left many of Boston’s faithful not expecting much for the team. The Boston Herald’s Jason Mastrodonato picked the Sox to go 74-88, and six separate writers for the New York Post selected the Sox to finish fourth of five AL East teams. The Red Sox started hot, winning 51 of 82 (.621) to start the season, but fell off following the All-Star break, winning only 37 of 71 (.521). The Red Sox made the playoffs, and saw success against two AL East foes (Yankees and Rays), before facing the Astros in the ALCS. Enrique Hernandez exploded in the playoffs, batting .450 against Tampa and .385 against Houston, but his efforts fell short as the Red Sox lost in six games while the Astros advanced to the World Series. 

Following the ALCS trip, many fans had high expectations for the Red Sox, expectations heightened by an offseason signing of former all-star infielder Trevor Story. The Sox started cold, starting 10-19, and ended May with a 23-27 record. Miraculously, the Red Sox caught fire in June, winning 19 of the first 23 in the month and ending the month with a 43-33 record. However, as the weather got warmer, the Sox got colder. After sliding into the All-Star game with a 48-45 record, the Blue Jays marched into Fenway Park and walloped the Sox, 28-5. To this point, the Red Sox still have not recovered; posting a 19-26 record following the break. As of September 9th, the Red Sox are 67-71 with 24 games left. While there is still hope, the chances of this team making a postseason run are bleak as making up 10 games in 24 games is nearly impossible.

So with the season-ending, Sox fans beg to ask the question: “what went wrong?”. For one, this team has been faced with excruciatingly bad injury luck. Former ace Chris Sale pitched only a handful of innings due to multiple injuries and surgeries. Pitchers Matt Barnes, Josh Taylor, James Paxton, and Tanner Houck all missed time, as well as star player Rafael Devers (19 games). Postseason hero Enrique Hernandez (68 games), and new addition Trevor Story (47 games) also suffered through injuries this season. With all these injuries, the pitching staff suffered immensely. It is also a well-known fact that first base has been a struggle for the Red Sox, highlighted by Franchy Cordero’s three errors at first in a loss earlier in the season. The trade deadline saw the Red Sox acquire rental players in Tommy Pham, Reese McGuire, and Eric Hosmer, but it was too little too late.

With 24 games left on the schedule, the Sox will play the Orioles (7 games), Yankees (6 games), Royals (3 games), Reds (2 games), Blue Jays (3 games), and Rays (3 games). Trailing the Blue Jays and the third wild card spot by 10 games, the Red Sox will need a miracle and can be mathematically eliminated in the coming weeks. For now, all fans can do is look to the future, and try to forget the season that was.