Red Sox Reach Concerning Early-Season Low Not Seen Since 1998

Boston's struggling offense has the team off to a 2-6 start, the worst record in MLB.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 5:52am

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The Boston Red Sox have stumbled out of the gate, dropping to 2-6 on the season after a 3-2 loss to the San Diego Padres on Saturday. This marks the first time since 1998 that the Red Sox have scored two runs or fewer in four of their first eight games to start a season. Despite strong pitching, Boston's offense has been anemic, ranking near the bottom of the league in several key statistical categories.

Why it matters

The Red Sox's early-season struggles are particularly concerning given the team's offensive potential. Unlike the 1998 squad that finished third in MLB in total runs, this year's roster has yet to show signs of breaking out of its slump, putting them in an early hole in the AL East race.

The details

Through eight games, the Red Sox have scored just 24 total runs, tied for the fewest in the league, and have failed to score more than five runs in any contest. They have been held to two runs or fewer in four of those eight games, going 0-4 in such situations. Situational hitting has been a serious issue, as the Red Sox went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position on Saturday and are just 9-for-59 (.152) in those scenarios this season, the worst in MLB.

  • The Red Sox's 3-2 loss to the Padres came on Saturday, April 5, 2026.
  • The last time the Red Sox scored two runs or fewer in four of their first eight games was in the 1998 season.

The players

Connelly Early

A rookie pitcher for the Red Sox who allowed two runs over four innings in Saturday's loss, bringing his overall strikeouts to 39 through six career starts, tied for the most in franchise history at that stage.

Fernando Tatis Jr.

The Padres' star shortstop who doubled and scored the go-ahead run in the ninth inning of Saturday's game.

Ramon Laureano

The Padres' outfielder who drove in the go-ahead RBI single off Aroldis Chapman in the ninth inning to give San Diego the 3-2 victory.

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The takeaway

The Red Sox's early-season offensive struggles are raising concerns about the team's ability to compete in the AL East, especially compared to the more potent lineups of their division rivals. If Boston's bats don't wake up soon, they could find themselves in an early hole that will be difficult to climb out of.