The Boston Red Sox have won seven of their last nine games. After pitcher Josh Beckett was shelled in an 8-3 loss to the Cleveland Indians on May 10, the Red Sox won five games in a row. Could a players-only team meeting have sparked the turnaround for Boston?
Designated hitter David Ortiz reportedly called a team meeting on May 11 (via Fox Sports). The meeting was "heated" and involved hitters telling pitchers to "step it up." Since the players meeting, the Red Sox have improved to 20-21 overall, including Sunday's 5-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Boston is now 6.5 games behind the surprising Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East.
Whether or not the meeting is directly responsible for the results on the field, Beckett is 2-0 since it occurred and has only allowed one earned run in 14.2 innings while recording 14 strikeouts.
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