Red Sox

The Red Sox could have missed the playoffs the last three seasons, but during that very same period one in all their former sluggers was working hard to make an impact in October.

Kyle Schwarber played only half a season for the Red Sox in 2021 after acquiring him on the trade deadline, but Boston probably wishes it had kept the outfielder longer. Schwarber is quietly constructing his resume as top-of-the-line playoff hitters of the twenty first century, if not MLB history.

The current Philadelphia Phillies slugger hit a leadoff home run on Saturday that had a major impact on the record books. The long ball marked Schwarber's twenty first home run of the season. Fourth all-time behind Manny Ramirez (29), Jose Altuve (27) and Bernie Williams (22). It was also Schwarber's twelfth game with the Phillies, a brand new franchise record.

Unfortunately for Schwarber and Philadelphia, that home run was for nothing. The Phillies offense faltered the remainder of the sport and lost 6-2 to the New York Mets.

Still, Schwarber's individual postseason success provides a stark contrast to Boston's lack of success over the past three seasons. Schwarber's Phillies made the playoffs in each of his three seasons there. They earned a World Series appearance in 2022, lost within the NLCS in 2023 and are the No. 2 seed within the National League this season.

Schwarber then looked as if it would add much more oomph to his punches when it mattered most. He hit three home runs within the 2022 Series and a whopping five long balls within the 2023 NLCS.

Even though Schwarber only made one postseason trip in a Red Sox uniform, he still proved his postseason value by hitting three home runs for Boston within the 2021 playoffs.

The Red Sox, led by Chaim Bloom on the time, attempted to re-sign Schwarber after the 2021 season, but Bloom explained this on the time his contract had “reached a level that no longer made sense.”

Let's have a look at 2024: Schwarber has exhausted three of the 4 years of his $79 million contract. And it seems price every penny for Philadelphia.