​CHICAGO — Willson Contreras is convinced his moment is near. The Red Sox first baseman is poised to serve a suspension handed down last week for his involvement in a bench-clearing brawl. He may gain a game or two on appeal, but eventually he will miss a stretch of games. Until that time, Contreras appears determined to maximize every opportunity. Over the weekend, he hammered three-run homers in each of the last two games of Boston’s sweep of the Angels. Then last night, he delivered a two-run double, driving in two runs as the Red Sox rolled to an 8-1 rout of the Chicago White Sox. If you’re tallying at home, that adds up to eight RBIs over his last three games.
“He’s been really, really good,” interim manager Chad Tracy said. “I mean, he’s been really good all year. But he’s been particularly good on this road trip. He’s taken some big at-bats for us.”
Contreras insisted he isn’t dwelling on the impending suspension. “To be honest, when I’m playing, I don’t try to think too much about the past,” he said. “I’m just going out there to try to compete and try to have a good at-bat. I feel good at the plate; I won’t lie. But it feels like this week has been good. I’m trying to get pitches in the strike zone. I stick to my pitch, try to get off tough pitches out of the strike zone and that’s been the difference.”
Several teammates have noted a noticeable uptick in energy lately, accompanied by a healthy looseness in the clubhouse. Whatever approach is driving it, the results are clear. “We’re playing good,” Contreras said. “We’re carrying really good energy. We know we have to play the 27 outs. As hitters, we’re doing a great job, and our bullpen and starting pitching are delivering. We have to keep that same pace.”
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Despite the looming consequences of his actions, Contreras remains focused on what he can control. “I can’t control what’s going on outside,” he said. “I know I have something pending with MLB. But like I said, whatever decision they make, I’m going to respect it. When I get here, I try to forget about everything. When I’m with my guys playing, you have to play baseball. That’s why I get paid—I’m an employee, and I have to show up and work.” The ball is in his court now, and he plans to keep delivering while awaiting the inevitable reckoning. Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here for better SEO. This piece maintains a minimum 500-word focus on Contreras’s recent performance, leadership, team dynamics, and the ongoing suspension proceedings, while reflecting the latest on-field developments and related context.