The Boston Red Sox are in the midst of a wild postseason run.
After beating the New York Yankees in the Wild Card Game and eliminating the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS, the team is currently engaged in a battle with the Houston Astros in the ALCS.
You could argue that the Red Sox currently have the upper hand in this series with Houston, as Boston stole home-field advantage away from the Astros over the first two games of the series.
Simply put, the Red Sox are having an unforgettable postseason.
And one player in particular has had a major hand in the team’s run: Kiké Hernández.
Hernández Is Having One Of The Greatest Postseason Showings In Red Sox History
Going into the 2021 playoffs, Hernández wasn’t known as an elite playoff performer.
He had a slash line of .213/.324/.434 over 58 career postseason games before 2021.
But everything has changed for the 30-year-old over the past couple of weeks.
He’s having a run that no one in Boston will ever forget.
So far, over the Red Sox’s first seven playoff games this year, he’s batting .500 with a 1.608 OPS.
He has homered five times, doubled four times, and driven in nine runs.
Moreover, over his last five games, he’s slashing .600/.593/.1360.
That last number isn’t his OPS — it’s his *slugging* percentage!
Hernández is simply unstoppable right now.
He has delivered in some massive spots, and there’s no telling where the Red Sox would be without him.
It's Kiké's world, we're just living in it 🚀 pic.twitter.com/IQmNwoT7lG
— Red Sox (@RedSox) October 16, 2021
Kike Hernandez with a clutch diving catch 😱
(via @MLB)pic.twitter.com/BDOFQNHHr2
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 16, 2021
OF COURSE Kiké drives in the game-winning run pic.twitter.com/Ouo2jMYIej
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 12, 2021
A lot of Red Sox fans consider David Ortiz’s 2013 playoff run to be the greatest postseason showing in the history of the franchise.
But right now, Hernández is giving Ortiz a run for his money.
Ortiz slashed .353/.500/.706 throughout the 2013 playoffs.
He put on a show in the World Series, batting .688 with a 1.948 OPS.
But if you look at both players’ numbers throughout the entirety of their respective postseasons, then Hernández’s numbers in the 2021 postseason (so far) are more impressive than the numbers Ortiz posted throughout the 2013 playoffs.
I’ve seen crazy Postseason runs before but nothing gets close to what Kiké Hernández is doing right now, mercy!
— Boston Strong (@BostonStrong_34) October 16, 2021
It’s Hard To Imagine Hernández Ever Leaving Boston
Hernández is in his first season with the Red Sox, but a lot of folks are getting the same sense: that he’s going to be in Boston for a long time.
The former sixth-round pick is under contract for one more season, but the Red Sox would be wise to lock him down for longer.
He’s a fan-favorite, he’s producing at absurd levels, and he seemingly loves being in Boston.
Hernández’s stellar year didn’t just start in the playoffs, by the way.
He had a great regular season.
He posted a .786 OPS and 107 OPS+ to go along with 20 homers, 35 doubles, and three triples.
He also racked up a massive defensive WAR of 2.1, giving him an overall WAR of 4.9 (a career-best).
Hernández clearly has a lot of juice left in the tank.
If the Red Sox don’t give him the type of contract he deserves, someone else will.
But right now, the organization’s focus is on the 2021 postseason.
Hernández and the Red Sox are looking to accomplish the ultimate goal of winning the World Series.
NEXT: Chris Sale Looking For Redemption In ALCS Game 1
