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Boston, MA - May 12: Boston Red Sox center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela returns to the dugout after striking out in the ninth inning. The Boston Red Sox played the Philadelphia Phillies at Fenway Park on May 12, 2026. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images
The Red Sox and The Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals each entered the season with postseason aspirations. But while the Royals have merely stumbled out of the gate, the Red Sox have barreled into May as a full-blown dumpster fire. President of baseball operations Craig Breslow fired manager Alex Cora and most of the coaching staff in late April, making him a target of ire to much of the fanbase, including the wife of former coach Jason Varitek. Now, the team is trying to right the ship without outfielder Roman Anthony or shortstop Trevor Story, both on the Injured List with pitchers Garret Crotchet, Kutter Crawford, and Tanner Houck.
The Boston Red Sox’ struggles have largely been driven by a lifeless offense. They scored 17 runs in a game against the Orioles the day they fired Cora, representing 10 percent of their totals runs. In their other 45 games, they’re averaging just 3.3 runs per game. They have hit the second-fewest home runs and have the seventh-lowest on-base percentage. They have three of the six worst qualified hitters in baseball by wRC+ – Story, Caleb Durbin, and Jarren Duran. Even Willson Contreras has gone into a funk, hitting .179 over his last nine games.
Wilyer Abreu has been a bright spot, both with his bat and glove. The two-time Gold Glover hit a career-high 22 home runs last year, and is one of just 19 qualified hitters in baseball hitting .300 or better. Durbin has a 59.6 percent ground ball rate, second-highest in baseball.
The Red Sox are an excellent defensive team, second in baseball in Outs Above Average with Abreu, Rafaela, Durbin, and Contreras all ranking very highly.
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The Red Sox acquired veteran Sonny Gray from the Cardinals last winter, and he has been a solid pitcher, although his strikeout rate has plummeted. He missed some time with a hamstring strain, but has given up just one run in 11 innings over the two starts since his return. He has dominated the Royals in his career, with a 1.76 ERA in 13 starts. Salvy is just 6-for-34 (.176) with no home runs in their career matchups.
Boston signed Ranger Suárez to a five-year, $130 million contract over the offseason and he has lived up to his deal so far. He currently has a 19 inning scoreless streak, and has given up just four runs in last six starts for a 1.00 ERA over that time. Lefties are hitting just .209/.255/.315 against him in his career, although he does not have much of a platoon split this year.
Connelly Early has been terrific since his MLB debut late last year. In 13 career big league starts he has a 2.96 ERA with 74 strikeouts in 67 innings. He throws a 93 mph fastball that opponents are hitting .207 against, with a change, sinker, curve, slider, and sweeper.
Note, the Royals moved up the start time for Monday’s game due to potential inclement weather.
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Boston’s bullpen has been great, with an ERA of 3.16, fourth-best in baseball. Former Royals closer Aroldis Chapman has been a shutdown reliever, going 10-f0r-10 in save opportunities this year. Since joining the Red Sox last year, he has drastically brought down his walk rate, while posting the 13th-highest strikeout rate among relievers. Garrett Whitlock has a 29.4 percent pop-up rate. Rookie Tyler Samaniego has been terrific, but has a reverse split with righties hitting just .200/.273/.233 against him.
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The Red Sox haven’t been as bad since firing Cora, going 9-10 under new skipper Chad Tracy, who played for the Omaha Storm Chasers in 2013. But they have lost each of their last three series, and haven’t scored more than three runs in any of their last eight games. This is a team scuffling just as badly as the Royals, if not worse.
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