Carter Jensen Presents Immediate Problem As Royals Visit Red Sox originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Boston Red Sox could have used an accommodating opponent after losing two of three games to the Los Angeles Angels.
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Carter Jensen and the Kansas City Royals do not plan to cooperate. Jensen enters Friday night’s series opener at Fenway Park riding a 14-game hitting streak/ The first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.
Boston begins the series at 80-67 after allowing the Angels to win consecutive games for the first time in nearly a month. That makes containing Kansas City‘s hottest hitter an immediate priority.
Long hitting streaks are not built exclusively on home runs. Jensen has shown an ability to adjust, use the field and find ways to produce even when pitchers avoid his preferred locations. That makes him difficult to neutralize with one simple plan.
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Boston’s pitching staff must execute ahead in the count.
Falling behind will allow Jensen to become selective and wait for a pitch he can drive. The Red Sox also must avoid allowing the hitters ahead of him to create constant RBI opportunities.
Those details became a problem against Los Angeles.
Jake Bennett surrendered three home runs Wednesday, with Zach Neto and Jose Siri doing their damage after other Angels reached base. One mistake quickly became multiple runs.
Kansas City will attempt to create the same pressure.
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The Royals series represents another opportunity for Boston to strengthen its postseason position before a more demanding portion of the schedule. The Red Sox remain in favorable wild-card position, but the New York Yankees‘ recent sweep of Colorado increased the separation between the teams. Boston cannot assume its existing cushion will protect it indefinitely.
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Winning at Fenway is the clearest response. The Red Sox showed some offensive fight Wednesday, receiving home runs from Roman Anthony and Wilyer Abreu before bringing the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning.
That urgency must arrive earlier against Kansas City.
Jensen’s 14-game streak gives the series a recognizable individual storyline. For Boston, the larger issue is preventing another beatable opponent from leaving Fenway with a series victory.
