Red Sox Stumble Out of the Gate with 2-7 Start

Pitching struggles and offensive woes plague Boston in the early going

Apr. 6, 2026 at 1:26pm

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The Boston Red Sox have gotten off to a dismal 2-7 start to the 2026 MLB season, leaving fans and the team itself frustrated with the team's 'unacceptable' play. The pitching staff has struggled mightily, ranking 23rd in the league with a 4.71 ERA, while the offense has failed to capitalize with runners in scoring position. Star shortstop Trevor Story is off to another slow start, and the lack of right-handed power remains a glaring hole. Despite the early-season troubles, the Red Sox remain confident they can turn things around over the remaining 153 games.

Why it matters

The Red Sox's slow start is concerning given their playoff expectations coming into the season. A 2-7 record to begin the year puts them in a deep hole, as only 14 teams since 1903 have made the playoffs after starting that poorly. The team's struggles on the mound and at the plate have left fans frustrated, with some even calling for ownership changes. If the Red Sox can't right the ship soon, their postseason hopes could be in serious jeopardy.

The details

Through nine games, the Red Sox's pitching staff has been a major disappointment. Offseason acquisitions Ranger Suárez and Sonny Gray have struggled, with Suárez lasting just 4.1 innings in his latest start. As a team, the Red Sox rank 23rd in the majors with a 4.71 ERA and have allowed the 8th-most runs (41). The offense has also sputtered, hitting just .215 with runners in scoring position, the 4th-worst mark in baseball. Star shortstop Trevor Story is off to another slow start, batting just .119 with 17 strikeouts in 42 at-bats.

  • The Red Sox opened the season by dropping two of three games to the Reds.
  • They were then swept in a series against the Astros.
  • Over the weekend, the Red Sox lost two of three games to the Padres at Fenway Park.

The players

Alex Cora

The manager of the Boston Red Sox.

Craig Breslow

The chief baseball officer for the Boston Red Sox.

Trevor Story

The star shortstop for the Boston Red Sox who is off to a slow start, batting just .119 with 17 strikeouts.

Roman Anthony

A 21-year-old outfielder who is a key part of the Red Sox's offense, though his defense in left field has been a liability.

Willson Contreras

The Red Sox's primary power threat, though he has never hit more than 24 home runs in a season.

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What they’re saying

“The record is the record.”

— Alex Cora, Manager

“This is unacceptable. It's unacceptable to the fans. It's unacceptable to the standard that we set for ourselves. So it's as simple as showing up and doing everything you possibly can.”

— Roman Anthony

“You have to stay the course. You cannot overreact to this series. You have to play better.”

— Alex Cora, Manager

What’s next

The Red Sox will look to turn things around in their upcoming series against the Orioles, with the team hoping to gain some momentum and climb out of the early-season hole they've dug for themselves.

The takeaway

The Red Sox's dismal start to the 2026 season has left fans frustrated and the team searching for answers. While it's still early, the team's struggles on the mound and at the plate have put their playoff hopes in serious jeopardy. If the Red Sox can't find a way to right the ship soon, their season could be over before it really gets started.