And his name isn't Trevor Story.
While Story is making waves, going 7-11 to close last weekend before an 0-7 stretch the last two games, it is middle infielder Pablo Reyes who has delivered in the clutch.
The rise of Reyes as a beloved player in Boston is not necessarily a new thing. In the "what have you done for me lately?" department, Reyes has two huge home runs to his name. Further back, Reyes has been a steady contributor for the Red Sox much of the 2023 season.
Reyes raking
Sharing time in the middle infield, Reyes made his debut with the Red Sox on May 13 in a 5-4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. Out of the gate, he was doing good things for Boston, picking up a hit in each of his first five games (and going 8-19 at the plate, including a four-RBI game in 12-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners).
Reyes cooled off, only picking up one more hit in May (a total of seven games, five of which he had a plate appearance).
Throughout June, however, Reyes found his stroke again while playing regular baseball. He hit for average (.333) and provided solid defense in the middle infield for a team desperate for consistency at shortstop and second base.
Then the abdominal injury hit and Reyes missed about a month of action.
Thankfully, he picked up right where he left off. It took him a couple of games in July to shake the rust off but once the calendar turned to August, Reyes stepped into the limelight.
In ten games this month, Reyes is 13-35 at the plate. He scored seven runs and swatted three doubles, all while expertly covering ground at (mostly) second base. (We'll set aside the double-error Reyes had over the weekend against the Detroit Tigers.)
Reyes has five multi-hit games this month, bringing the total on the season to 12. And he has made August memorable, with a walk-off grand slam against the Kansas City Royals on August 7. Reyes went 3-4 that game, also scoring three runs and stealing a base.
And tonight, he temporarily brough the Red Sox back into the game. Down 2-0 in the top of the eighth to the Washington Nationals, Reyes knocked a two-run home run to tie the game.
The Boston Red Sox ultimately lost the game thanks to a tough outing by Garrett Whitlock, who allowed four runs in the bottom of the eighth. It was a game the Red Sox really could have used a victory in, considering the tight race they are in for a playoff berth.
Upcoming games for Boston Red Sox
Boston is in midst of a ten-game road trip, finishing up a series with the Nationals on Thursday. It's Chris Sale day, so here's to hoping for the series victory.
At 63-57, the Red Sox are in fourth-place in the A.L. East and 10.5 games back of the 1st-place Baltimore Orioles. Hopes for a division title might be fanciful at best, but a shot at one of three Wild Card spots is within reach.
Boston is three games back of the Toronto Blue Jays for the final spot.
They will just need to play their best baseball, in all aspects. Seven more road games await them after Thursday, with games against the last-place Yankees before traveling to Houston. The Astros are currently in the second Wild Card spot, with the two teams slated to play seven games against each other in the next seven weeks.
The Red Sox have one of the toughest schedules from here on out. The Los Angeles Dodgers will be there opponents when returning home, to begin with. And they have a combined 22 games remaining against A.L. East opponents.
I'd argue the next two weeks are the most important, in which the season could be made or broken. Get truly hot and win 10 of 14 and September will be a hot one to watch.
Lose 10 of 14 to close August, however, and it may be a September in which fans get to watch future stars get at-bats.
Of course, with this Red Sox team, a 7-7 or 8-6 stretch is entirely possibly. One that leaves them not quite in but not quite out and September worth being on the edge of the seat for. And if Reyes continues to perform at the plate, finds key hits, and Boston is in the playoff hunt, well, his story has the possibility to enter the folklore of Red Sox history.
A player who can be discussed for generations to come. No pressure.
photo credit: Rawpixel
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