Red Sox' elite defense can’t mask MLB-worst offense in disastrous 2026 start
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Red Sox' elite defense can’t mask MLB-worst offense in disastrous 2026 start originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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The Boston Red Sox’ 2026 season has been a total disaster so far, with the team sitting in the bottom of the AL East with a record of 13-21. This is definitely not what they were expecting, and neither was the MLB.
Funnily enough, the Sox’ gameplan this offseason when creating their team was defense wins games, so get some pitchers and good fielders. They got guys like Ranger Suarez and Willson Contreras, but they severely overestimated their roster’s offensive production.
The Red Sox' defense is elite
© Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Defensively, the Sox are arguably the best team in the MLB. They are No. 1 in Defensive Runs Saved (DRS), Outs Above Average (OAA) and Fielding Run Value (FRV).
They also have two Gold Gloves in Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela. Their outfield configuration of Roman Anthony, Abreu, and Rafaela is also arguably the best defensive outfield trio in the MLB.
Their starting pitching has also been mostly elite. Their No. 1 and 2 starters in Garrett Crochet and Ranger Suarez got off to cold starts, but have finally started to heat up. Boston’s young arms in Connelly Early and Payton Tolle have also been solid in the back end of the rotation.
Even guys who have been defensive liabilities have upped their game. Marcelo Mayer and Trevor Story have plugged up the middle infield, and the addition of Caleb Durbin has been a good replacement defensively for Alex Bregman.
The offense is the opposite
Imagn Images
However, their offense has been the complete opposite, being one of the worst in the MLB.
For starters, they’re the third worst team when it comes to OPS, and for total home runs. They’re the fourth worst team when it comes to RBI and total runs scored. And most importantly, they can’t hit for power, as they are the second worst team in the MLB when it comes to slugging.
The Sox’ front office really was banking on their young core to make the leap, and they haven't. This disaster is pretty much on them, and when the blame game starts to be played again, the finger will be pointed at them.
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