Alex Bregman’s Prolonged Slump Puts Pressure on Red Sox During Crucial Pennant Push
BOSTON — When the Red Sox acquired Alex Bregman at midseason, they envisioned a proven postseason performer who could anchor the middle of the lineup and help drive a pennant run. Instead, as September winds down, Boston is searching for answers while Bregman fights through one of the most frustrating stretches of his career.
Since joining the Red Sox, the 30-year-old third baseman is hitting just .246, a sharp dip from the production that made him a two-time All-Star in Houston. His struggles reached a new low in Sunday’s loss, when a key out call in the eighth inning halted a potential rally and underscored a slump that has lingered far longer than anyone anticipated.
“It’s tough,” Bregman admitted after the game. “I’m getting pitches to hit and just not doing what I need to do. I have to keep grinding.”
Manager Alex Cora continues to express faith in his star acquisition. “Alex is a proven hitter,” Cora said. “He’s been through these stretches before and always finds a way to come out the other side. We know what he’s capable of, and we trust him to get there.”
Still, the numbers tell a sobering story. Bregman’s on-base percentage has fallen nearly 40 points since the trade, and his slugging percentage is well below his career average. He has just three home runs in his last 25 games, leaving a Boston lineup hungry for the run production he was expected to provide.
The timing is particularly painful for a club locked in a tight race for the American League Wild Card. Boston’s offense has shown flashes—Rafael Devers remains a consistent threat and rookie Ceddanne Rafaela has injected energy—but the Red Sox envisioned Bregman as the missing piece to push them over the top.
Inside the clubhouse, teammates continue to back him. “Everyone goes through it,” Devers said. “We know the kind of hitter Alex is. One swing and he can change a game. We believe it’s coming.”
Fans have been less patient. Social media buzzed after Sunday’s loss, with some supporters pleading for Bregman to “wake up” while others debated lineup changes. Despite the criticism, Fenway Park still greets him with loud cheers, a sign that Red Sox Nation hasn’t lost hope that their midseason prize will find his swing.
Bregman remains focused on the fundamentals. He spends extra hours in the batting cage, studying video and working with hitting coaches to tighten his swing mechanics. “The only way out is through,” he said. “I’ve been in slumps before. You keep working and trust the process.”
The Red Sox will need that process to pay off quickly. With fewer than two weeks left in the regular season, every at-bat carries heightened importance. For Bregman, a breakthrough could transform not only his season but also Boston’s playoff fate.
For now, the Red Sox and their fans wait for the moment when the ball once again jumps off Bregman’s bat with authority—a single swing that could reignite both player and team when they need it most.
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