What Happens When Everybody Comes Back?

The Red Sox have been on an unbelievable run since the All-Star break. They are 27-3 over their last 30 games and 33-7 over their last 40, sitting in the second Wild Card spot at 64-51.

Think about where we were earlier this season. There was a time when Red Sox fans were simply hoping this team could get within five games of .500. Forget the playoffs. Forget the Wild Card. We just wanted respectable baseball again.

Now they're 13 games over .500.

What's even more remarkable is who helped get them here.

Nick Sogard, Nate Eaton, Anthony Siegler and Andruw Monasterio have become the heart and soul of this run. These are players who, during most seasons, would probably be filling out a Triple-A lineup or sitting on a major league bench. Instead, they've been asked to play meaningful innings during a playoff race, and they continue to produce.

I've questioned the sustainability of this roster throughout the streak. At some point, you would think their weaknesses will be exposed. The signs have occasionally been there, but every time it looks like reality might catch up with them, somebody else delivers.

Which brings us to a question I never thought we'd have to ask.

What happens when everybody comes back?

Roman Anthony, Trevor Story, Curtis Mead and Isiah Kiner-Falefa could eventually return to a team that hasn't exactly been waiting around for them.

The outfield presents the first problem. Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanne Rafaela and Jarren Duran have all been producing at a high level, while Masataka Yoshida has provided a consistent bat at DH. The deadline acquisition of Eli White was a head-scratcher to me considering how deep the outfield already was. If Anthony returns, White seems like the most obvious odd man out.

Story and Mead’s return could create an even more difficult decision.

The infielders who helped carry this team haven't just produced. They've become fan favorites. They've played multiple positions, accepted whatever roles they've been given and brought an energy to this team that's impossible to measure on a stat sheet.

Maybe that's what makes this so complicated.

I don't think anybody can truly identify exactly why this group keeps winning.

My theory is they've rediscovered an old school approach to baseball. Don't try to do too much. Hit the ball where it's pitched. Steal bases. Play small ball. Put pressure on the defense and slowly wear down starting pitching.

But there's something else happening here too.

Chemistry.

You can see it. These players are having fun together, and winning has only made that connection stronger.

That's why part of me worries about changing anything.

On paper, getting Story, Anthony, Mead and Kiner-Falefa back should make the Red Sox better. Baseball, however, isn't played on paper. What happens if improving the roster changes the chemistry that helped create this incredible run?

I don't know the answer.

For now, I'm going to enjoy it.

This has been some of the most enjoyable Red Sox baseball we've watched in a long time. A collection of unexpected players are having fun, winning games and making a little history along the way.

No matter how this season ends, nobody can take this run away from them.