Boston Red Sox have 10 games left in a lost season; here are the 10 players to watch over the final stretch

Tanner Houck

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Tanner Houck throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)AP

With the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals and the NFL season underway, there doesn’t seem to be much reason to keep watching the Red Sox right now. At 18-32, the Sox are far out of playoff contention and are playing out the string as other teams battle to reach the expanded playoff tournament.

With 10 games left, the Red Sox -- as a team -- don’t have much to play for. But individual players have a lot to gain (or lose) over the final sixth of an unprecedented season.

Here are the 10 Red Sox players to keep an eye on for the last 10 games of the season:

THE KIDS:

Tanner Houck

Houck, who debuted with five scoreless innings against the Marlins on Tuesday night, is one of the organization’s most exciting pitching prospects and will likely make two more starts before the end of the season. The former first-round pick will get his next chance to pitch Sunday at home against the Yankees and will likely throw for the final time in Atlanta next weekend.

If Houck keeps pitching well in his final couple of starts, he’ll get a head start on making the 2021 rotation. For now, his outings represent a glimpse at the future wave of homegrown pitching talent the Red Sox are hoping to build around for years to come.

Bobby Dalbec

Dalbec was must-watch TV during his five-game home run streak last week and has provided a lift for a sleepy Red Sox team since being called up on Aug. 30. The power prospect is getting a chance to start at first base every day and is beginning to find his swing more consistently, hitting .260 with a .967 OPS in 14 games since being called up.

Dalbec is a bit of an all-or-nothing hitter (26 strikeouts in 55 plate appearances) but has a chance to impact the game every time he steps to the plate. As of now, he’s the favorite to start at first base next year after an impressive first two weeks in the majors.

THE RECLAMATION PROJECTS:

Yairo Munoz

The Red Sox quietly signed Munoz -- who played 196 games for the Cardinals over the last two years -- shortly after spring training was suspended and called him up to the big-league roster on Aug. 31. Since then, all he has done is produce, hitting .349 and stealing two bases in 11 games while showing flashes of brilliance in both corner outfield spots.

The 25-year-old fell out of favor in St. Louis and abruptly quit on his team due to a playing time dispute, but he’s making the most of his opportunity in Boston. In an era where versatility is extremely valuable, he looks ticketed for a bench spot next year.

Christian Arroyo

Arroyo, a former first-round pick who was once traded for Evan Longoria, is getting an extended audition at second base during the final stretch. The Sox claimed the 25-year-old off waivers from the Indians in August and are giving him a chance to stake his claim in a positional battle that could also feature Munoz, Michael Chavis and Tzu-Wei Lin.

Arroyo hit two homers over the weekend against the Rays and has an .849 OPS in seven games. The talent is there, and the Red Sox are hoping the former top prospect puts it all together for the first time in the majors.

Nick Pivetta

Pivetta, who was acquired alongside Connor Seabold in the trade that sent Brandon Workman and Heath Hembree to the Phillies last month, is all but certain to get a chance to make a start in the big leagues, potentially as early as Tuesday. Considering what the Red Sox gave up to get him, Pivetta will likely get a long look as Boston tries to piece together its 2021 rotation.

The righty hasn’t found a ton of major-league success (5.50 ERA in 396 ⅓ big-league innings) but the Red Sox are hoping a change of scenery does him wonders. He could make two starts in the season’s final six games.

THE FIREBALLER

Domingo Tapia

Tapia was an unheralded addition to the roster last week but has consistently shown an 100 mph fastball and has topped out at 101 mph. Though control his key, Tapia’s velocity makes him an intriguing bullpen weapon who will be fun to watch over the final 10 games.

Boston only has a few relievers locked in to its 2021 bullpen, so a strong few outings from Tapia or any of the other arms (like Dylan Covey, Jeffrey Springs and Robert Stock) could prove beneficial come spring training.

THE STUDS:

Alex Verdugo

Verdugo has been the Sox' most consistent hitter all season, with his three-hit performance Wednesday niht raising his season average to .318. An electrifying presence at the plate and in the field, Verdugo has done an admirable job replacing Mookie Betts, even if he won’t admit it.

Verdugo’s energy and passion have brought a different dimension to the Sox this year. He looks like a cornerstone for years to come.

Rafael Devers

Unfortunately for Red Sox fans, Rafael Devers started looking like Rafael Devers after they likely stopped paying attention. In September, the slugger is hitting .370 with three homers and 10 RBIs, making up for his prolonged early-season struggles.

Over the last 10 days, Devers (who is hitting .289) will see if he can get his average over .300. Considering he was hitting .187 on Aug. 17, that’s pretty incredible.

THE SHORT LEASH:

Michael Chavis

Chavis has spent much of the last two seasons trying to recreate the torrid start to his big-league career and hasn’t had much success. The former first-round pick is hitting just .223 with three homers (.630 OPS) in 33 games this year and is now being tried out in left field because others have surpassed him at both first and second base.

It appears Chavis is close to falling out of favor with the Red Sox, so he could be a trade candidate this winter. Some offseason adjustments will be required for him to make a strong case for playing time on a revamped roster come spring training.

THE FAREWELL?

Jackie Bradley Jr.

With Workman, Kevin Pillar and Mitch Moreland having been traded in August, the Red Sox have only one significant free agent: Bradley Jr. Though the club has expressed a desire to re-sign the veteran outfielder, it still seems less than likely considering the emergence of Verdugo and top outfield prospect Jarren Duran.

Bradley Jr. has meant a lot to the Red Sox in his seven seasons with the club, playing center field at Fenway Park better than virtually anyone in recent memory and becoming a fan favorite -- and spokesperson for the club on important issues -- in the process. If these are Bradley Jr.'s last few games in Boston, be sure to enjoy them.

Related links:

Where might Boston Red Sox pick in 2021 MLB Draft? Are they in play for Kumar Rocker or Jack Leiter?

Boston Red Sox now have Nick Pivetta under their control through 2024; why did club delay starter’s team debut?

Tanner Houck will make next start for Boston Red Sox vs. Yankees on Sunday; Martin Perez will start Friday

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