The second half was a tough one for the Boston Red Sox, but they still gave it their all as a team. And lately, one hitter in particular has stood out.
No, it’s not Rafael Devers, who could be on his way to a top-five MVP spot. It’s not Jarren Duran, who ranks third among outfielders in wins above replacement behind Aaron Judge and Juan Soto.
Many thought the Red Sox had given up on him at some point during the season, and that was exactly the player who helped Boston to a decisive win in Baltimore on Friday night.
Designated hitter Masataka Yoshida, who battled injuries and a temporary substitution in the first half, was at his best and added another to a growing list of memorable moments on Friday when he hit a three-run home run off Baltimore Orioles star Corbin Burnes to give Boston an 8-4 lead.
But it wasn’t just the home run. Yoshida also added a huge extra run with a two-out RBI single in the eighth inning, right after the Red Sox allowed three runs from the Orioles to cut the score. Yoshida finished Boston’s 12-10 victory with 3 for 4 and four RBIs.
“Just a smart hitter,” manager Alex Cora said of Yoshida after the game. “He’s in good physical shape and has a good swing.”
Since June 11, when Yoshida returned from his thumb injury, he has been a completely different player, with a .336/.411/.519 batting line in 151 at-bats with six home runs, including four in his last 17 games.
Yoshida has had a tumultuous tenure in Boston. Originally signed as a left fielder, he was limited to DH duties in 2024 due to the influx of young outfielders onto the big league roster. He has been vocal about his desire to play in the outfield and hasn’t always seemed to be part of the Red Sox’s long-term plan.
But in Major League Baseball, if you can hit, you’ll always have a spot.
Yoshida has re-established himself as a staple in the Red Sox lineup, and if they manage to clinch a playoff spot, the Japanese slugger will play a big role in that.
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