The Red Sox offense hit a wall in September, posting a league-worst .651 OPS and scoring just 71 runs. That is 18 fewer runs than the second-worst team in baseball. With Willson Contreras and Ceddanne Rafaela not at full health, the team looked doomed. But Adley Rutschman is heating up right when it matters most. Per BoSox Injection, the former Orioles catcher is slashing .266/.299/.547 in September after a terrible .170 start in August.
This turnaround is not a fluke. In his final seven contests, Rutschman posted a .346/.370/.577 slash line including a home run. He is finally thriving from the right-handed batter’s box, which is exactly what Boston needed. The Red Sox paid a hefty price at the trade deadline, selling off their best minor league pitchers to get him. Now, he is giving the team the offensive production they hoped for. Manager Chad Tracy placed him No. 2 in the Wild Card Game 1 lineup. It is a risky move, but Rutschman is their hottest bat.
Defense and Momentum
Among the league’s top defensive catchers, Rutschman stands out, making his contribution too significant to overlook. Opposing sides lose their edge both at the plate and on the base paths due to his effective play. This is a huge boost that Connor Wong simply does not bring on days he starts. The team needs his best work at the plate, especially given the injury list they are dealing with. While the rest of the roster has faltered, Rutschman brings a level of stability that is rare.
By placing him second ahead of Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu, the Red Sox have rewarded Rutschman’s recent hot streak. This setup creates interesting platoon decisions for the Yankees as the game wears on. Although Rutschman lacks extensive playoff time with the Orioles, the five October games he saw exceed what many Sox players have experienced. As one of the few players who has felt the pressure of the postseason, the team needs him to stay hot.
Wild Card Stakes
The next chapter of the rivalry starts now with a clash between Payton Tolle and Cam Schlittler. This is a game where the winner pushes the other team to the brink of elimination. Roman Anthony will lead off as the designated hitter, which leaves Jarren Duran in left field. Since Duran mishandled a critical moment in Game 2 last year at Yankee Stadium, this lineup decision holds significant implications. Should Chad Tracy pinch hit for Duran later, the roster will require shuffling to realign the deck.
The Yankees went with 16 position players on their playoff roster, so they have no shortage of combinations to try. The Red Sox must hope Rutschman continues to look better from the right side of late. If he can get on base in front of the top of the order, it forces New York to make tough choices. The game is set for 8:00 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium.
