Red Sox Hang on as Bregman Searches for His Swing in AL East Showdown
BOSTON — The American League East has always been a gauntlet, but this September it feels even sharper. The Red Sox are clinging to the edges of the Wild Card race, their playoff hopes flickering like the final embers of a late-summer bonfire. For Boston to stay alive, they need Alex Bregman’s bat to awaken—and quickly.
When the Red Sox acquired Bregman in a midseason blockbuster, they envisioned the former All-Star as a steadying presence in the heart of their lineup. Early returns were promising: crisp line drives, patient at-bats, and a veteran’s knack for the big moment. But over the past three weeks, Bregman’s production has cooled. His OPS in September has dipped nearly 80 points, and the power that once punished pitchers has been conspicuously absent.
Manager Alex Cora isn’t panicking. “Baseball has stretches like this,” Cora said before Friday’s game. “Alex prepares as well as anyone. We trust the process and know the results will follow. We still believe he can be the difference-maker we brought him here to be.”
The Red Sox need that difference-maker now. The Yankees and Orioles continue to pile up wins, leaving Boston little room for error. With fewer than two weeks remaining, the Red Sox sit just outside the final Wild Card spot, their margin for missteps razor-thin.
Bregman’s slump isn’t for lack of effort. He’s still drawing walks and working deep counts, but the sharp contact that once defined his swing has been fleeting. Scouts note that his timing is just a tick off—late on fastballs, out in front of breaking pitches.
“I feel close,” Bregman said after going 1-for-4 in Thursday’s loss. “The swings are there in batting practice. It’s about carrying that over to the game. One big hit can turn it around.”
Boston’s lineup around him is doing its part. Rafael Devers remains a force, and rookie outfielder Wilyer Abreu has provided a jolt of energy. But without Bregman’s bat anchoring the middle of the order, opposing pitchers have attacked more aggressively, exploiting weaker spots.
For the Red Sox, the urgency is palpable. Each night brings a new test, each inning a potential pivot point in the postseason chase. Fenway Park’s crowd has matched that intensity, creating a playoff atmosphere in mid-September.
“It feels like October already,” said veteran closer Kenley Jansen. “We know what’s at stake. Every pitch matters. And we know Alex is going to come through. He’s too good not to.”
History suggests Jansen is right. Bregman has built a career on big-game moments, from postseason heroics in Houston to clutch hits on the national stage. If the Red Sox are to extend their season, they will need that version of Bregman—the one who thrives when the spotlight burns brightest.
As the AL East tightens and the schedule dwindles, Boston’s path to the playoffs remains narrow but navigable. The Red Sox can’t afford many quiet nights from their newest star. If Bregman finds his rhythm, the door to October might stay open just long enough for Boston to crash the party.
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