Xander Bogaerts is scorching hot at the plate
Bogaerts is hitting .397 which is leading the American League
The Red Sox lineup has struggled mightily to begin the young season. As a collective whole, the club is hitting .234 which is 14th best in baseball. Except Xander Bogaerts who is hitting the cover off the ball.
Bogaerts collected four hits in the Red Sox 7-1 win over the Blue Jays on Wednesday night. That was his seventh game this season with at least three hits or more. According to the Red Sox, that’s the most ever three-plus hit games in the first 20 games of a season for any player in club history.
The win ended the club’s four game losing streak.
The All-Star shortstop is now hitting .397 on the season and leading the team with 29 hits. Bogaerts is the only Red Sox hitter to be producing consistently at the plate and getting on base. He leads the team with a .421 on-base percentage.
Bogaerts scorching hot run at the plate began on Easter Sunday. He started the season going 2-for-20, but has quickly adjusted at the plate. During the stretch of games his been red hot at the plate, Bogaerts has only gone hit less twice.
“The first few games, he didn’t look right,” manager Alex Cora said. “Somebody asked a question about contracts and all that stuff. Man, these guys are pros. They know what it’s all about. He’s a guy that, his track record speaks for itself.”
The contract talk has been quiet for the last few weeks. Bogaerts isn’t letting that be a distraction on the field and is producing at a high level.
“We know the track record. We know the player,” manager Alex Cora told reporters in Toronto. “He’s doing an amazing job taking what they give him. I was joking with him, ‘Well, if they’re going to keep shifting you, go for the batting title.’ He’s like, ‘No, I’m going to hit homers, too.’
“He’s just such a good player, such an offensive threat,” Cora added. “He can pull it for power, he can go the other way for singles. I’m glad that he’s playing for us.”
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