McAdam: Red Sox still learning how to become energy independent

On the surface, you might be forgiven for thinking that, if the Red Sox were going to be so godawful, then this is the year to do so.

Thanks to the pandemic, the Red Sox have not had to listen to unhappy fans booing them into next week for their 1-4 start, for their nightly embarrassing pitching performances, for their inability to produce a big hit when they need it most.

With no paying customers on hand, the Red Sox can suffer in (mostly) silence, their poor play restricted to a dozen or grounds crew members. The only reaction heard is from piped-in sound effects, and person running the audio controls isn't about to hit the "boo'' button.

And that's a good thing, right?

Well, maybe not.

Following their fourth straight loss at Fenway, one of the team's newest members -- and one of the few players who's performed well to date -- suggested the lack of atmosphere may be contributing factor to the team's subpar play.

"I'd be lying if I said that it's not different,'' said outfielder Kevin Pillar. "I think players that get the opportunity to call this home, you're just so accustomed to the unique atmosphere that this stadium brings -- the fans, the energy in the ballpark. It's taken some guys a little bit of time to adjust to that.

"I think getting out on the road might be good for this team.''

Welcome to the 2020 MLB season, a surreal experience from the get-go, when underachieving teams believe that it's a curse -- and not a blessing -- not to have to answer to fans.

In Pillar's defense, he wasn't in the least excusing the brand of baseball of which the Sox have been guilty. He made sure to note the offense had failed, and the baserunning and defense occasionally suspect. It hasn't been only the pitching, even though, when the Red Sox take their nightly early-inning beatings as scheduled, it sometimes feels that way.

This is Pillar's first week as a member of the Red Sox and while it may be tempting to think that this newbie knows not of what he speaks, recall that until last year, Pillar had called the American League East home for seven seasons. Surely, while making three trips a year to Boston, he's heard the home team called out a time or two. Undoubtedly, he's aware the fan base can be a tad demanding.

But it's not the booing or cheering or the in-between that Pillar is missing. It's the general raucous noise, the constant buzz, the sense of anticipation that builds as the home team threatens.

Instead, there's a distant murmur pumping through the PA system, like some far-off radio signal being tuned in late at night.

In the 2020 season, that soundtrack doesn't exist, and so, players have to self-motivate. And that could take some time.

"It comes from ourselves,'' said Pillar. "I think we've got to find ways to individually bring energy, guys that are not playing, guys that are in the dugout. We've got to find ways to just create our own energy among our team.''

Instead, a distressingly familiar pattern has emerged over the last four games: pitchers who are overmatched to begin with, fall behind early, and the hitters put too much pressure on themselves in an effort to climb back into the game immediately. Hitters become guilty of trying to hit the ball 500 feet. Meanwhile, opponents keep adding on, putting the score completely out of reach.

"It's a two-way street,'' noted Pillar. "If we're able offensively to go out and score some runs early in the game, it allows pitchers to settle in. And vice versa -- if they're able to put up zeroes and allows us to score some runs, it's a two-way street.''

When manager Ron Roenicke was asked if he thought the lack of energy at Fenway was a contributing factor to the team's slow start, he politely dismissed the theory.

"I don't think that's a difference,'' he said. "I know in the long run, it makes a difference. But we're just starting out.''

It's likely that Roenicke didn't want to be in the position of excusing his team's poor play, and that honesty is admirable. And Pillar made clear that wasn't into excuse-making either.

"The time for making excuses is over,'' said Pillar flatly. "This is baseball in 2020. We've got to figure out a way to make the best of it.''

Maybe Pillar has a point. Maybe, over the next week and a half, it will be the Mets, Yankees and Rays who feel out of sorts without the usual backing at home and the Red Sox can take advantage.

Of course, it would probably help more if they could toss in seven shutout innings from a starter or a big, three-run homer in the early innings.