The Boston Red Sox need their key lineup catalyst to set the tone for an improved second half.
Jarren Duran hasn’t replicated a breakout 2024 thus far. The outfielder enters Sunday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays batting .252/.310/.398 with five home runs in 382 plate appearances.
Duran regaining last year’s All-Star form is crucial for Boston to stay in the playoff mix. One MLB writer expects better results from the 28-year-old.
In The Athletic’s Pulse Newsletter, Levi Weaver recalled Duran discussing his mental health struggles in Netflix’s “The Clubhouse: A Year with the Red Sox” documentary series. Weaver feels Duran still has the tools to bounce back.
“Perfectionism can drive you to work hard, sure,” Weaver wrote. “But ironically, once you get where you’re going, it’s poison. Did you know Duran was worth 8.7 bWAR last year? Fifth-best in the league. More than Juan Soto or Francisco Lindor. He’s extremely talented, but I find myself wondering if he’s still insulting himself after every mistake. If he can find some peace, a positive regression is inevitable.”
Story continues below advertisement
Duran is reeling this month, batting .204/.288/.355 in June. Alex Cora has begun moving the leadoff hitter down the lineup card against left-handed pitchers, slotting him sixth on Sunday.
Boston’s offense collectively snapped out of a funk Saturday, emphatically ending a six-game losing streak with a 15-1 rout over Toronto. Every starter collected at least two hits besides Duran, who went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and two walks.
After Friday’s shutout loss, Duran said he felt he and the lineup were pressing to snap their skid.
“I just feel like we’re putting a lot of pressure on ourselves to score a bunch of runs every single day,” Duran told reporters. “When we’re at our best, we’re stringing at-bats together, passing the baton. Right now, I feel like we’re looking for that one big hit — like a homer or something. But I don’t know. I can speak for myself, that I know I feel like I’m putting a lot of pressure on myself, like I do every night. It feels a little tense right now.”
Story continues below advertisement
