BOSTON -- Whatever you might think of John Farrell's team -- and after 22 games, we aren't close to rendering a verdict on its status as a potential contender -- this much is clear: These aren't your father's Boston Red Sox.

Historically built to mash, not motor, the Red Sox rank last in the American League in home runs (17) while leading the league in stolen bases (20). They have never ended a season in that state. In fact, the franchise that gave us slugging Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski, Jim Rice and David Ortiz has led the league in steals only once, way back in 1935.

But the runnin' Red Sox aren't showing any sign of slowing down, especially as they prepare to renew their age-old rivalry with the New York Yankees on Friday night at Fenway Park. Not with a 90.9 percent stolen-base success rate (20-for-22), a young core led by dynamic Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts, and their manager preaching such aggressiveness on the bases that Hanley Ramirez has three steals and Ortiz one.

"The running game has always been there as a point of emphasis," said Farrell, who has steered the Sox to a 12-10 start that has, for the moment, quieted talk of his being on the managerial hot seat. "It's always going to be part of what we try to create. We're about trying to put pressure on the defense. If there's a distraction that we create in the mind of a pitcher on the mound to contend with another element of the game, then hopefully that shows up in other ways."

That philosophy has generated a high-octane offense that leads the league in runs scored (113), and the Red Sox may well need to keep up that pace in order to overcome a shaky starting rotation. Even ace lefty David Price (5.76 ERA through five starts) struggled before matching his career high with 14 strikeouts Tuesday night at Turner Field. But while he figures to be the least of the Sox's concerns, doubts remain about whether Clay Buchholz (6.51), Rick Porcello (3.51), knuckleballer Steven Wright (1.37) or eventually injured Joe Kelly (9.35 ERA before a shoulder injury) and Eduardo Rodriguez (knee) is viable as a No. 2 starter.

To be fair, the starters have pitched better the last time through. Then again, how much can you really glean from four games against the hapless Atlanta Braves? The Red Sox will learn more about young lefty Henry Owens and Porcello on Friday and Saturday nights before Price starts the finale on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball.

Ultimately, the Red Sox won't be able to outrun their pitching forever, so a 4.82 starters ERA must improve for them to be taken seriously as contenders.

"We have to go out and continue to execute and swing the bat like we're capable, but more importantly, control the game and particularly get some big innings from the mound," Farrell said. "That's been kind of our Achilles' heel at this point."