Friday night was supposed to feel different at Fenway Park. The Boston Red Sox rolled out their fan-favorite City Connect uniforms, which were, of course, a hit. They experimented with rookie Kristian Campbell at first base and even got Nick Burdi to bolster the bullpen. There was a renewed energy as there was a change, too. But sadly, in the end, the result looked the same!

The Red Sox fell 4-2 to the Atlanta Braves, their fourth straight loss. This has pushed the team two games under .500, so it’s not a great look. They are now trailing the New York Yankees by five in the AL East and slipping further behind in the Wild Card chase. The frustration is starting to show, not just among the fans but also among the players.

Because an ace like Garrett Crochet showed up strong, allowing just two runs in seven innings, yet the Sox couldn’t cash it in. Crochet has been dominant with a 2.51 ERA, but the team has only won once in his five home starts. Reason? The offense simply isn’t holding up their end of the bargain. So after the game, Rob Refsnyder didn’t sugarcoat his feelings.

Refsnyder said, “We’re losing a lot of tough games, a lot of close games—which makes it more unfortunate….. It feels like we are not competing, just getting the job done honestly… We are not clicking as a team right now. The city expects us to win, we expect to win, and we’re just not doing it.” Well, can you blame his frustration? The Boston Red Sox were sloppy on the basepaths all night.

Rafael Devers got caught in a rundown between the first and the second. Later, even Jarren Duran was picked off by Chris Sale, and Nick Sogard was gunned down trying to stretch a single into a double. So that’s three golden chances wasted. The $2,000,000 Red Sox veteran also noted the team’s late-inning issues. “Yeah, I mean really out on the air offensively. We scored some runs in the beginning, and then, for whatever reason, we weren’t scoring late… It’s frustrating for sure.”

For now, the signs of efforts are there, but efforts aren’t translating into wins. And it’s high time that Boston figures out a way to save the season, otherwise even the best jerseys won’t be able to save them. And looks like there might be a glimmer of hope.

Things might be shifting for the Boston Red Sox — finally

The Red Sox are scrambling for answers. And for the first time in a while, they might be close to one. With rookie Campbell, one of Boston’s most promising bats, working out at first base, it seems like a small but plausibly impactful adjustment. Because for a team trying to replace Tristan Casas and trying to find consistency, this could set off a domino effect that sets off a real infield shakeup.

Campbell, who has been playing at second base, also seemed open to the switch, saying, “Whatever helps the team.” And if he makes that move permanent, it actually does more than just fill that first base; it also opens the second base for prospect Marcelo Mayer. His debut feels closer by the day. He is absolutely raking in the Triple-A Worcester and also has some reps in the second. But not everyone thinks that’s the best idea, either. “He can mash, he can play anywhere (on defense). But for me, he’s a big league shortstop,” said Harold Reynolds of MLB Network.

According to him, Trevor Story would be better at second, and Mayer, who is a natural at shortstop, should take that role. For now, though, the fact is that the Red Sox are in a rut. For now, the idea of a Campbell-Mayer infield shakeup could bring that youthful spark the team needs.

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