2026 Red Sox/MLB Season Thread

[Redz]

Great game tonight.  Sox went into the bottom of the ninth down 2-0.  Rallied and won 3-2.  These guys are fun to watch and it helps they are winning more than losing...

Definitely could have been deflated after a dead night at the plate and a squandered bases loaded, nobody out and the heart of the lineup K fest in the 8th.  But the bottom of the lineup and pinch hitters came through. 

Crazy play to end the game. 

[Vermont Green]

Great game tonight.  Sox went into the bottom of the ninth down 2-0.  Rallied and won 3-2.  These guys are fun to watch and it helps they are winning more than losing...

Definitely could have been deflated after a dead night at the plate and a squandered bases loaded, nobody out and the heart of the lineup K fest in the 8th.  But the bottom of the lineup and pinch hitters came through. 

Crazy play to end the game.

I got to watch the game on TV (offered to take my wife out for a night on the town, but she said she was too tired and was fine with take out Thai food).  I cut the NESN cord a while back so a treat to get to watch a game.  Sandoval seemed to struggle all game but managed to get through 5.2 innings with the Sox still in it somehow.  Not sure if he is on the upswing or downswing.  Funny how the vibe around this team has changed so dramatically so quickly.  From expecting they would find a way to lose to not surprised they found a way to win.

[Vermont Green]

I wonder if the Sox could do something like having Crochet open for Bello down the stretch and hopefully in the playoffs.  Based on Crochet only being stretched out for two or three innings. That will get you through the first time through the order.

[BitterJim]

Great game today (and one I actually remembered I could watch on TV, although I still listened to half on the radio while doing chores around the house). Bennett looked awful to start the game, but then really got it together to throw a strong 7 innings. And while going down 2 early was a death sentence early in the year, now it just feels like a challenge that you know the Sox will rise to

I was really questioning when Tracy pinch hit Gasper for a red hot Jahmai Jones, but it immediately paid off. Sort of the story of the second half of the season for Chad

[Goldstar88]

Outfielder Roman Anthony, who spent the week playing at Double-A Portland, will join Triple-A Worcester to continue his rehab assignment for an indefinite period, Tracy said. Shortstop Trevor Story and infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa will return to Boston and be re-assessed Monday. Their next steps are unknown after playing for the WooSox this week in Syracuse.

Everybody came out of it OK, Tracy said. Trevor and IKF will come back here. It?s an off day for minor leagues. They?ll get re-assessed and see where they?re at physically. Roman will continue in Worcester next week. We know that for sure.

[Vermont Green]

Rosters expand in a little over a week. That will be a couple more spots to work with. I understand they want to give Story a chance. See what he can do. He still has the highest ceiling of all the shortstops.  If he is not producing then go with the shortstop by committee.

Same for Anthony. Ideally they plug him in and he is great. But if not, they need to go with Plan B.

[trickybilly]

Rosters expand in a little over a week. That will be a couple more spots to work with. I understand they want to give Story a chance. See what he can do. He still has the highest ceiling of all the shortstops.  If he is not producing then go with the shortstop by committee.

Same for Anthony. Ideally they plug him in and he is great. But if not, they need to go with Plan B.

Does Story play second?

[Vermont Green]

Rosters expand in a little over a week. That will be a couple more spots to work with. I understand they want to give Story a chance. See what he can do. He still has the highest ceiling of all the shortstops.  If he is not producing then go with the shortstop by committee.

Same for Anthony. Ideally they plug him in and he is great. But if not, they need to go with Plan B.

Does Story play second?

Yes. He did for nearly a season when he first got to the Sox (2022).  I was expecting Mead to play 2B.  I guess Mead could DH.

[Redz]

I totally forgot they have IKF too.  Lots of moving parts for sure.  And egos.  Very unique situation.  I?m sure some of it will work itself out with injuries and slumps/heaters from various guys, but you really don?t want to mess to much with a team that?s been playing like .800 ball for quite a while. Besides the fact that he?s an MLB coach and that?s pretty cool, I don?t envy Tracey?s position.

[BitterJim]

I totally forgot they have IKF too.  Lots of moving parts for sure.  And egos.  Very unique situation.  I?m sure some of it will work itself out with injuries and slumps/heaters from various guys, but you really don?t want to mess to much with a team that?s been playing like .800 ball for quite a while. Besides the fact that he?s an MLB coach and that?s pretty cool, I don?t envy Tracey?s position.

Yeah, it's a tough spot. I feel like you wait until rosters expand next week to bring anyone in, unless someone gets hurt or someone slumping in the majors/raking in AAA forces your hand. The current team meshing so well gives you a lot of runway on bringing guys in, no need to rush. Even a guy like Story says he's 100% ready to come up, but he hasn't been hitting well in AAA so give him more time to get going down there before you make a decision

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

They?ve been succeeding without Story and IKF, and neither of those guys is in the team?s long-term plans, so those two should ride the pine unless injuries open up playing time.

[Vermont Green]

I don't know if Trevor Story still has it in him to play better than the shortstop by committee of 4A players has been playing.  But he has been a 3-time all star.  Just last season he hit 25 home runs.  I suspect the thinking is that his potential ceiling is higher than any combination of these 4A shortstops.  They are going to get him on the field and see what he can do.  See if he can be that 25 HR shortstop from last season.  I don't see that as likely but why not give him a shot and see where he is at.  You can always go back to the shortstop by committee, with Story as part of the committee.

For the season, the shortstop position has a 0.656 OPS with 7 HR.  Defense has not been great.  There is room for improvement.  I am sure that is what they are hoping to get from Story.  If you get Story right, he will be an improvement.  Trick is to get him right, easier said than done.

[Goldstar88]

I don't know if Trevor Story still has it in him to play better than the shortstop by committee of 4A players has been playing.  But he has been a 3-time all star.  Just last season he hit 25 home runs.  I suspect the thinking is that his potential ceiling is higher than any combination of these 4A shortstops.  They are going to get him on the field and see what he can do.  See if he can be that 25 HR shortstop from last season.  I don't see that as likely but why not give him a shot and see where he is at.  You can always go back to the shortstop by committee, with Story as part of the committee.

For the season, the shortstop position has a 0.656 OPS with 7 HR.  Defense has not been great.  There is room for improvement.  I am sure that is what they are hoping to get from Story.  If you get Story right, he will be an improvement.  Trick is to get him right, easier said than done.

Story is not hitting well in AAA. They should keep him down there until the rust comes off. There is no reason to bring him back right now.

[Silas]

Saw this on Reddit....
 

In the last 3 months (since May 25th), the Red Sox have:

    The best record in MLB (50-29)
    The most wins in MLB (tied with Milwaukee)
    Allowed the fewest runs in MLB (282)
    The highest Pythagorean W/L% in MLB (whatever that means)
    The handsomest pitcher in MLB (Peyton Tolle)

[Vermont Green]

The problem for the Sox, regarding what to do with Story, is that most of the current group are not shortstops.  All these guys are really utility infielders but Sogard, Seigler, and Mead are primarily 2B-men.  Kiner-Falefa has plenty of experience at SS but is more of a 2B overall.  And Montesario has played as much at 3B as SS.

Realistically, the SS options are Montesario, IKF, and Story.  Montesario is only 0.645 vs R pitchers and his defense at SS is not great.  IKF bats right also, as does Story of course.  In 12 seasons, IKF has a 0.661 career OPS.  If they can get story back playing like Story, it solves a couple of problems.  If Story does not come around, it is probably a platoon of Montesario and IKF, but that takes up two roster spots.  Most likely, Story is added, IKF is out.  If they need to add Story before Sep 1, Seigler is probably sent down.

At 2B, they need to give Mead a shot when he is ready, but I think Seigler is probably out in any case.  Neither Seigler or Sogard has a whole lot of sample size, but Sogard is a better hitter, from either side of the plate.

Then to make room for Anthony, some tough decisions.  Jones and White are probably out (along with Seigler) to make room for Story, Mead, and Anthony.