Red Sox Struggle Against Lefties: Defensive Challenges and Trade Considerations

Red Sox Struggle Against Left - Handed Pitching

The Boston Red Sox have been on a winning streak in recent weeks , moving up the standings with the help of their powerful offense . However , they have hit a roadblock when facing left - handed pitching , as seen in their recent games against the Kansas City Royals . Left - handed starters like Cole Ragans have been able to shut down the Red Sox , limiting their scoring opportunities and handing them losses.

Struggles Against Lefties Continue

The Red Sox 's statistics against left - handed starters have not been impressive , with a record of 12 - 15 overall and a concerning 1 - 8 since June 10 . The team 's batting average and OPS against lefties are lower compared to their performance against right - handed pitchers . Manager Alex Cora has been trying different lineup combinations to combat this issue , moving hitters like Rob Refsnyder to the leadoff spot to spark the offense.

The Royals ' Cole Ragans showcased his pitching prowess against the Red Sox , holding them to just one run on four hits over seven innings . Despite making some adjustments to the lineup , the Red Sox struggled to generate runs against Ragans . The team 's key hitters like Rafael Devers and Jarren Duran have been facing challenges when up against left - handed pitchers , impacting the overall performance of the offense.

Defensive Struggles and Trade Deadline Considerations

On the defensive side , Red Sox starter Cooper Criswell had a tough outing against the Royals , allowing five runs , two of which were unearned . While the team acknowledges the need to improve their performance against lefties , they are also considering options to strengthen the lineup , especially with the trade deadline approaching . Adding a right - handed bat like Luis Rengifo or Justin Turner could provide the balance needed to compete effectively against left - handed pitching.

Looking ahead , the Red Sox will need to regroup and focus on their upcoming games against right - handed pitchers to maintain their position in the standings . The series against the Kansas City Royals has highlighted the importance of addressing their struggles against lefties to stay competitive in the playoff race . Coach Alex Cora remains optimistic that with continued work and adjustments , the team can overcome this challenge and perform at their best level.