Justin Turner is contributing to the Red Sox every which way
The veteran is hitting .323 with a .937 OPS since the start of June.
The Red Sox were coming off a shutout loss when Justin Turner cranked a two-run homer to left-center field in the first inning of Wednesday’s series finale against the Athletics.
It shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise.
Turner has been one of baseball’s hottest hitters for nearly two months, and his home run Wednesday that extended his hitting streak to 15 games served as the latest piece of evidence of that.
In 40 games since the start of June, Turner is hitting .323 with 12 doubles, nine home runs and a .937 OPS. His 40 RBIs in that span lead the major leagues. Over the course of the entire season, Turner ranks second on the Red Sox in home runs (15), RBIs (61) and hits (103).
The Red Sox signed Turner to a two-year, $21.7 million deal this past offseason. Viewed as the replacement for J.D. Martinez, Turner’s offensive production this season has been on even footing with the Dodgers’ designated hitter. Turner’s 126 wRC+ and .360 wOBA are nearly identical to Martinez’s marks of 127 and .358.
Better yet, Turner has given the Red Sox lineup flexibility. The 38-year-old has played first base 29 times, third base seven times and second base six times. Turner made his first start of the season at second base Friday against the Cubs and belted a two-run homer in the seventh inning before finishing the game at first base. On Monday and Tuesday against Oakland, he filled in at third base while Rafael Devers dealt with right calf tightness.
Turner, the 2022 Roberto Clemente Award winner, has reportedly given the Red Sox a boost in the clubhouse, too.
No matter which position he’s playing — or if he’s even on the field at all — the veteran has been one of Boston’s most consistent contributors in his first season with the team.
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