Red Sox Get 'F' Grade Amid Being Called 'Biggest Disappointment' in MLB

The Boston Red Sox have struggled mightily to start the 2026 season.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 6:13pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fractured, multi-perspective view of a Red Sox baseball game, with sharp planes of navy blue, red, and white representing the team's struggles on the field.The Red Sox's rough start to the 2026 season has been a major disappointment, with their high-priced roster struggling to find its footing.Boston Today

The Boston Red Sox have had a rough start to the 2026 MLB season, sitting at 8-11 and receiving an 'F' grade from Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller, who called them the 'biggest disappointment' in baseball so far. The team's starting rotation and lineup have both underperformed, with several key players posting concerning offensive numbers.

Why it matters

The Red Sox were expected to be a contender this season after making several offseason additions to their starting rotation, but those moves have yet to pay dividends. Their struggles are a major disappointment for the franchise and its fanbase, who were hoping to see the team bounce back after a down year in 2025.

The details

The Red Sox's starting rotation has struggled mightily, with Garrett Crochet posting a 7.58 ERA, Sonny Gray at 4.43, and Bryan Bello at 6.14. Offensively, several key players like Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer, Trevor Story, Jaren Duran, Carlos Narvaez, and Caleb Durbin have all posted OPS numbers under .700, well below expectations.

  • The Red Sox currently sit at 8-11 on the 2026 MLB season.

The players

Garrett Crochet

A Red Sox starting pitcher who has a 7.58 ERA on the season.

Sonny Gray

A Red Sox starting pitcher who has a 4.43 ERA on the season.

Bryan Bello

A Red Sox starting pitcher who has a 6.14 ERA on the season.

Roman Anthony

A Red Sox hitter who has a .686 OPS on the season.

Marcelo Mayer

A Red Sox hitter who has a .553 OPS on the season.

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What they’re saying

“Arguably the biggest disappointment in all of baseball thus far, Boston loaded up on starting pitching this offseason, but has yet to reap any benefit from doing so.”

— Kerry Miller, Bleacher Report Writer

The takeaway

The Red Sox's struggles to start the 2026 season have been a major disappointment, with their high-priced starting rotation and several key offensive players all underperforming. The team will need to turn things around quickly if they want to compete for a playoff spot this year.