The Boston Red Sox are in the midst of an August slump, but one of the best players in team history is confident a bounce-back will happen.
Red Sox legend David Ortiz knows what it's like to face adversity late in the season. He's optimistic the 2021 Red Sox will be a stronger team after struggling over the last month and losing first place in the American League East division as a result.
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âThe team is good,â Ortiz said Wednesday on "Gresh & Keefe" during the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon. âThere were so many things going in the right direction that itâs hard to believe where theyâre at right now and what theyâre going through right now. But sometimes, believe it or not, that is needed. Especially before walking into a playoff situation. Itâs because it's good to experience those type of things before you walk into the playoff atmosphere because you learn from it. You learn from the mistakes you make, you learn your weakness, you learn what you need to get stronger at. And once you walk into the playoffs, which is something thatâs going to happen pretty soon, I guess you are concerned about those things and you take care of them better than if it never happens.
âSo, I know the guys are going to bounce back. I know theyâre going to put themselves in the situation they were in before. But itâs a long season, and everything was going extremely well. When everything is going so well like that, this is expected, you know what I'm saying?
âBut Iâm pretty sure (Red Sox manager Alex Cora) and the whole team are going to navigate through it. Theyâre going to let things flow because the talent is there. The guys know how hard it is to play in that division, the American League East. That division is the toughest division in baseball, I would say. And you donât get away with anything in that division. Keep it tight, people, keep it tight. Donât give up. Keep the faith. The guys are going to regroup soon.â
The Red Sox' next five games are against the Twins and Cleveland Indians -- two very beatable opponents. It's a tremendous opportunity to build momentum and improve the team's playoff chances before having to play the first-place Tampa Bay Rays seven times in 12 days from Aug. 30 through Sept. 8.