The Boston Red Sox are giving new meaning to the phrase, “It’s a new season.”

After back-to-back last-place finishes, the Red Sox look like a force to be reckoned with a quarter of the 2016 season completed. Boston’s offense has been more explosive than anticipated and the Sox are jockeying for position with the Baltimore Orioles atop the American League East.

For many, the Red Sox’s success comes as a surprise, as the club went 149-175 over the last two seasons after winning the World Series in 2013. But for others, the strong start is an instance of Boston realizing its potential. Clearly, there’s plenty of talent on the big league roster.

Can the Red Sox keep this up throughout the dog days of summer and into October? A lot needs to go right, but the early signs are encouraging.

Let’s take a step back at the quarter mark.

Three things we’ve learned

1. The Red Sox’s offense is really, really good.

Boston leads the American League in most offensive categories, including runs, hits, doubles, triples, total bases, average and OPS. In many of those categories, the Red Sox lead by a wide margin over the second-ranked club.

It’s possible, if not likely, that the offense will go through some valleys at some point this season. But really, this is how the unit was expected to operate when the roster was constructed.

2. Starting pitching could be their Achilles’ heel.

As good as the Red Sox offense has been, the rotation has been equally as mediocre. There have been a couple of pleasant surprises (Rick Porcello and Steven Wright), a couple of disappointments (David Price and Clay Buchholz) and some uncertainty centered on injuries to Eduardo Rodriguez and Joe Kelly.

If everyone trends toward their projections, Boston’s staff should be fine so long as the offense continues to mask the team’s deficiencies. But for right now, the rotation’s future success — or lack thereof — is difficult to gauge, casting some level of doubt over the Red Sox’s hot start.

3. That “it” factor is back.

Playing hard. Taking the extra base. Good energy. Positive vibes all around.

There’s a different feel to this year’s team, which seems invested in performing well and bouncing back after two straight seasons in the cellar. Chemistry and a desire to win don’t guarantee success, but they so often can be precursors to such and this team is in a far better place than it was a year ago.

MVP: David Ortiz

There are so many position players performing well that choosing one isn’t easy. Xander Bogaerts, Travis Shaw, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Dustin Pedroia especially are having excellent seasons.

But let’s face it. Ortiz still is the straw that stirs the drink. The 40-year-old slugger is making his retirement tour must-watch TV.

Best new addition: Craig Kimbrel

Kimbrel went through some struggles to begin his Red Sox career, but the four-time All-Star closer since has turned his season around. Few, if any, ninth-inning arms across Major League Baseball possess Kimbrel’s talent. And it seems he’s finding a groove with his new organization.

Don’t be surprised, though, if Price ends up being the ace the Red Sox envisioned sooner than later despite some early hiccups.

Biggest surprise(s): Travis Shaw/Jackie Bradley Jr.

We just can’t pick one. Sorry.

Shaw wasn’t even supposed to crack the starting lineup, yet his ascent and Pablo Sandoval’s downfall paved the way for him to man the hot corner on an everyday basis. And all he’s done with the opportunity is rake, which is a continuation of the stretch run last season but still very surprising nonetheless.

Bradley, meanwhile, has been realizing his potential, but even the biggest Red Sox optimist probably didn’t envision him hitting at this clip. He’s not just a great defensive player who swings an adequate bat. He’s been a game-changer in every facet and looks like a potential All-Star.

Biggest disappointment: Clay Buchholz

Sandoval is the obvious answer, so we’ll skip that and go with Buchholz, who’s been consistently inconsistent. The Red Sox really hoped Buchholz would pitch up to his potential and give the rotation a solid No. 2 starter behind Price, but it’s been a grind to this point.

Grade: A-

After what Red Sox Nation endured the last two seasons, giving the team anything short of a grade in the “A” range would be incredibly unfair. The Red Sox have looked like legitimate contenders, even though it’s early, and if they can supplement their dynamic offense and superb defense with good pitching, Boston could make some serious noise in the American League this season.

Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images