Boston Red Sox: Kyle Schwarber, Sox bats clutch at the right moment

Every time you count these Boston Red Sox out, they battle back and win a game that has you feeling optimistic again.  They did it in the finale against the Seattle Mariners with solid bullpen pitching and some clutch Kyle Schwarber magic in extra innings.

If Covid-19 can’t hold this team down, nothing or no one can except for of course the Red Sox themselves.  While sloppy baseball play over the last couple months had this team looking up at the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees for the final two American League Wild Card spots, clutch opportunities like the six-run 10th inning in the team’s 9-4 win over the Mariners at T-Mobile Park Wednesday is exactly why the Sox can still create some noise.

Due to that big inning in extra innings, the Red Sox will return to Fenway tied for the top two spots in that exciting AL Wild Card race that will ultimately go down to the final week of the season.  With a favorable schedule and a chance to do some damage to control their own fate, a game like Wednesday night is exactly what the team needs to swing that momentum back.

Though the Red Sox did squander an early 3-0 lead, they got their grove back at the plate in that 10th inning off RBI hits from J.D. Martinez, Christian Vazquez, and Mr. Playoff baseball himself, Schwarber who continues to come through for this baseball team at the plate.

Boston Red Sox finding that clutch gene at the right time

“You got to give [this club] credit.  They went on this road trip knowing that it was going to be a tough one.” – Red Sox manager Alex Cora

In all, solid pitching from the bullpen and clutch hitting is exactly the formula the Red Sox need going down the stretch and hopefully into the playoff.  Alex Cora, who has been challenged with keeping this team moving in a positive direction, knows his team must bring it every night and take advantage of opportunities…like they did Wednesday afternoon.

"“It’s playoff baseball,” Cora said following the game, via MLB.com.  It feels that way.  And it’s fun, to be honest with you.  When you give your all and then at the end of the game you’re exhausted for the right reason. …You got to give [this club] credit.  They went on this road trip knowing that it was going to be a tough one.”"

After losing 2-of-3 to the Chicago White Sox, the Boston Red Sox battled back to take 2-of-3 from the Mariners to end the road trip at 3-3.  Now they head back to Fenway where they can make some noise and a place where a clutch performer like Schwarber can really make that MLB Trade Deadline trade pay off.

Speaking of Schwarber, his clutch pinch hit double to clear the bases he really shines in the big moment which is reminds of clutch playoff performers of the past like 2018 World Series MVP Steve Pearce, who ironically was a trade deadline acquisition.

Of course, the Red Sox are not in the playoffs yet, but Schwarber has already showcased that knack for the big hit at the right time.  Wednesday night was evidence of that clutch gene when he stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and delivered.

"“The biggest thing I was thinking about was putting the ball in play,” Schwarber said, via NBC Sports Boston.  “Bases loaded, tie ballgame, put pressure on the defense, that’s kind of the biggest thing there.  The oh-for-whatever, obviously those are tough times, but you just have to trust your process in the cage, trust your process on the field and in batting practice and things like that.  When you get in a spot like that, those are spots you want to be in as a baseball player, and you want to be able to come through for your team.”"

That was 0-for-17 to be exact before Schwarber entered the game and got a bit of redemption. While his defense can be a liability, the slugger proves in clutch moments exactly how important his bat is, especially with the approach he takes at the plate.

Locked in and ready to deliver is the approach the entire Boston Red Sox team must take this final month of the season.  It’s going to come down to attitude and Schwarber is injecting that into this team with his words and action at the plate when things really count.