2026 Red Sox preview: 4 questions facing Alex Cora's club The Boston Red Sox punched their ticket back to the postseason for the first time in four years last October. But manager Alex Cora couldn’t mask his disappointment after Boston’s impressive 2025 campaign came to an end after just three postseason games at Yankee Stadium. “Obviously, we should feel the way we feel right now — because we had bigger goals,” Cora said after Boston’s season-ending defeat in Game 3 of the Wild Card round. Optimism is abundant once again at Fenway Park this spring as the mounds of snow piled up around the city melt away. The 2026 Red Sox should take another step forward this summer, given both an elite starting rotation and a young core of talent — led by Roman Anthony — poised to take another step forward. Still, there are several hurdles that Cora’s club will need to clear if they want to build off of last season’s breakthrough effort. As the Red Sox get ready for their season opener on Thursday in Cincinnati, here are four questions facing the 2026 Red Sox: Will they score enough runs? After whiffing on free-agent targets like Pete Alonso and failing to retain Alex Bregman this winter, Craig Breslow and Boston’s top brass shifted their approach to rework an already solid roster. Boston bolstered its starting rotation behind the AL Cy Young runner-up Garrett Crochet — dealing for Sonny Gray and signing Ranger Suarez to a five-year, $130 million contract. If Bryan Bello — who has been dealing this spring — takes another step forward, Boston might roll out the deepest rotation in baseball. But will Boston’s bats do enough to capitalize on the team’s shift toward being a run-prevention juggernaut? Last season, the Red Sox did rank seventh in the majors in runs scored. But there were some flaws in Boston’s approach at the plate.#boston_red_sox #cincinnati #roman_anthony #wilyer_abreu #alex_cora
Red Sox Facing Early Concern With $130 Million Arm The Boston Red Sox signed Ranger Suárez to a five-year, $130 million contract this offseason, positioning him as a key contributor to the rotation alongside frontline starters Garrett Crochet and Sonny Gray. However, just days before the 2026 MLB season begins, the team is already grappling with concerns about Suárez’s readiness. According to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe, the Red Sox have expressed worries about his buildup following a limited spring training workload. Suárez has only pitched 9.1 innings during spring sessions and the World Baseball Classic, raising questions about his preparedness for the regular season. Manager Alex Cora has indicated that Suárez will remain in the rotation but will likely be used sparingly in the early stages of the season. Suárez’s slow ramp-up is more significant than it might initially appear. While limiting a starter early in the season is not unheard of, the Red Sox’s approach here feels different. Suárez is not a depth arm or a backend reliever; he is a cornerstone of Boston’s rotation strategy. The team’s $130 million investment was based on expectations of durability and immediate impact. A delayed start could disrupt these plans. If Suárez is restricted to four or five innings in his first few starts, it could strain the bullpen, which has shown inconsistency in recent years. This would also force the Red Sox to rely more heavily on Crochet and Gray early in the season, increasing the risk of overuse for those pitchers. Additionally, Suárez’s playing style adds another layer of complexity. His success has historically depended on rhythm and efficiency rather than overpowering velocity. A lack of full stretch could narrow his margin for error, particularly against the deep American League teams.#boston_red_sox #ranger_suarez #alex_cora #garrett_crochet #sonny_gray
Ranger Suárez's Limited Role in Red Sox Rotation After Minimal WBC Work Boston Red Sox fans were surprised to learn that Brayan Bello had returned to Fort Myers for spring training on March 13, despite suiting up for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. Bello was expected to start either the DR’s semifinal game against the United States or the championship match if the team advanced. However, he opted to return to spring training early, citing concerns that he wasn’t receiving enough work with his WBC squad. This decision mirrors the situation with Ranger Suárez, who also faced similar challenges during his participation in the tournament. Suárez, representing Venezuela, made two starts in the WBC but was not fully prepared for the demands of the season. On March 17, the Red Sox announced that Suárez had not been adequately built up during the tournament, leading to a decision to limit his role in the 2026 season. The team plans to have him in the rotation from the start but with reduced workload, as noted by Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe. This approach aims to ensure Suárez is ready for the regular season without overexerting himself. The Red Sox’s rotation adjustments were further highlighted by Alex Cora’s decision to name Sonny Gray as the second-game starter for the season’s opening. Fans had anticipated Suárez to take the No. 2 spot due to his track record of consistency, but Gray, despite his age, was chosen to hold that position. This shift underscores the team’s focus on balancing experience and workload, particularly for Suárez, who has struggled to find his rhythm. Suárez’s spring training and WBC appearances have been marked by limited game action. Between his spring training outings and WBC appearances, he has only pitched 9.1 innings.#boston_red_sox #alex_cora #sonny_gray #brayan_bello #ranger_suarrez
Boston Red Sox's Ranger Suarez Faces Concerns Over Readiness for 2026 Season The Boston Red Sox have expressed concerns about the readiness of pitcher Ranger Suarez ahead of the 2026 MLB season, according to insider reports. The team’s decision to sign Suarez to a five-year, $130 million contract in January has been a major offseason move, but questions remain about his preparedness for the upcoming season. Suarez, a left-handed starter, is expected to serve as Boston’s No. 3 pitcher behind Garrett Crochet and Sonny Gray. However, reports from the Boston Globe’s Peter Abraham suggest that manager Alex Cora and the coaching staff have reservations about Suarez’s workload and conditioning. Abraham noted that Suarez has only pitched in four games and accumulated 9.1 innings this spring, including his participation in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The quick turnaround between the WBC and the Red Sox’s regular-season opener on March 26 has raised concerns about his ability to contribute immediately. Cora indicated that Suarez would still be part of the rotation but warned that he might be "limited at first," meaning his role could be restricted in the early part of the season. This assessment comes despite Suarez’s impressive 2025 season, during which he pitched a career-high 157 1/3 innings and was named an All-Star with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2024. The Red Sox’s cautious approach reflects the team’s balancing act between leveraging Suarez’s talent and ensuring he is fully prepared for the demands of a full season. With the 2026 season approaching, the focus will be on how quickly Suarez can adapt to Boston’s system and regain his pre-injury form.#boston_red_sox #ranger_suarez #alex_cora #garrett_crochet #sonny_gray
