What’s clicking this year for Martinez?
Jen McCaffrey, Red Sox beat writer: The biggest thing for Martinez is that he has in-game video back, something players didn’t have last year in the dugout. Martinez is big on in-game adjustments and has said not being able to see his at-bats last year were part of the reason he had an awful 2020 season hitting just .213 with a .680 OPS in 54 games. He revamped his swing this winter and has benefitted from having the iPads back in the dugout to tweak his swing in real time.
What his start to the season means for Red Sox
McCaffrey: It’s no coincidence Martinez’s bat is so hot while the Red Sox have scored six or more runs in each game during their six-game win streak. He drives their offense and more often than not the Red Sox offense goes the way Martinez goes. If the Red Sox are going to have any success this year, they’ll need Martinez to maintain at least some level production he’s put up so far.
Early takeaways from a red-hot Red Sox offense
McCaffrey: While Martinez drives the offense, there was never much doubt this lineup was going to produce with Martinez, Devers and Xander Bogaerts in the heart of the order. Christian Vazquez has been on a tear to start the season too, picking up where he left off last year. That’s why the opening series sweep was so surprising because the Red Sox offense was considered their strength. They’ve clearly rebounded from that 0-3 start in which they were outscored 5-18. In their six wins since, they’ve outscored opponents 53-25.
(Photo: Rob Carr / Getty Images)
