COMMENTARY
Tasked with validating themselves as contenders following 17 weeks almost exclusively being ones by default, the 2019 Red Sox did. The World Series title defense began in March. The Red Sox actually began defending in earnest on July 22.
That’s certainly not all there is to say after following a great series against the Rays with an even better one against the East-leading Yankees, but that can’t be lost after those 17 weeks.
In clobbering New York 19-3 on Thursday, the Red Sox cracked 10 doubles, nine hits with runners in scoring position, and didn’t let Masahiro Tanaka escape.