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
Opening Day 2026: Fan Questions Answered About the Red Sox Boston Red Sox right fielder Roman Anthony (19) led off at the top of the order against the Minnesota Twins at Hammond Stadium. Barry Chin/Globe Staff Boston Globe sports reporter Alex Speier hosted an Ask Me Anything session Thursday morning on Reddit focused on his coverage of the Red Sox and what to expect from the 2026 team. Speier is entering his 25th season covering the Red Sox, and has covered sports for the Globe since 2015. Below are some highlights from the AMA, which have been condensed and edited for clarity. Questions are in bold from Redditors who participated. Out of the new signings and promotions to the big-league roster, who do you think will have the biggest impact? What is your prediction for the team’s record this year? Speier highlighted Willson Contreras and Marcelo Mayer as the players with the most potential to impact the team’s performance this season. He noted that the 2025 struggles at first and second base were a major drag on the team’s results, and the reliability they can bring—Mayer defensively, Contreras in his all-around game—will be critical. Speier avoided making specific win predictions, emphasizing that the excitement of Opening Day lies in the uncertainty of the season ahead. Is Roman Anthony winning his first MVP this year, or does he have to wait until next year? Speier acknowledged the rapid rise in expectations for Anthony, calling it “mind-blowing” that a player with limited big-league experience is already generating MVP buzz. He praised the question’s humor but stressed that Anthony’s early-season performance is unlikely to sustain elite production.#boston_red_sox #roman_anthony #alex_speier #willson_contreras #marcelo_mayer
Red Sox star's game-winning homer sends USA to World Baseball Classic final Team USA’s roster is packed with seasoned stars, but it was their youngest player who delivered the decisive moment in the World Baseball Classic semifinal, sending the team to the final with a dramatic home run. Roman Anthony, a 21-year-old phenom with the Boston Red Sox, hit a 421-foot solo shot to center field in the top of the fourth inning against the Dominican Republic’s Gregory Soto. The blast gave Team USA their first lead of the game and ultimately secured a 2-1 victory, advancing them to the tournament’s championship matchup for the third time in history. Anthony’s home run came with one out in the fourth, setting the stage for a tense showdown. The run proved to be the game’s deciding factor, as the U.S. held off the Dominican Republic’s late rally. After the game, Anthony described the moment as surreal, telling FOX Sports’ postgame show that he “kind of just blacked out” while hitting the ball. “I was, in my head (saying to the ball), ‘Just please go, please go,’” he said, reflecting on the pressure of the moment. Anthony’s performance in the tournament has been impressive, with a .318 batting average and a 1.014 OPS in six games. He has joined a select group of players under 22 who have hit home runs in this year’s WBC, with seven such players already in the tournament. His inclusion in the U.S. team came unexpectedly in mid-February when Arizona Diamondbacks star Corbin Carroll was forced to withdraw due to a broken hamate bone. Anthony, who had just begun his major league career, was called up to fill the spot. “I didn’t expect to be here,” Anthony said, expressing gratitude for the opportunity. “Going into spring training, I thought I’d be in Fort Myers all season.#dominican_republic #world_baseball_classic #boston_red_sox #roman_anthony #derek_jeter
Roman Anthony Reconnects with Alex Bregman at World Baseball Classic MIAMI — Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony has found renewed joy in his participation in the World Baseball Classic, particularly through his reunion with former teammate Alex Bregman. The two players, who had previously shared a strong bond during their time together in Boston, have once again formed a key partnership as members of Team USA’s roster. Their collaboration has provided Anthony with a familiar presence and mentorship, helping him navigate the high-stakes environment of the tournament. Bregman, who served as a mentor to Anthony during his rookie season last year, played a pivotal role in the young player’s adjustment to the major leagues. His experience and baseball IQ helped Anthony not only adapt to the challenges of the big leagues but also elevate his performance. However, their time as teammates in Boston came to an end this offseason when Bregman signed a five-year, $175 million contract with the Chicago Cubs. Despite the separation, their connection has remained strong, and their paths have crossed again in the World Baseball Classic. Anthony has spoken highly of Bregman’s influence, emphasizing the value of his guidance and the positive impact he has had on the team. During a pregame media session ahead of the WBC final, Anthony described Bregman’s presence as transformative, both on and off the field. “Being with him last year and learning from him and the way that he has been as good as he is and the way that he game-plans and everything, and knowing that he just transforms a clubhouse, I’ve already told him a little bit and joking with him, I’m sad to leave him,” Anthony said. The emotional weight of their reunion has become more apparent as the tournament progressed.#world_baseball_classic #chicago_cubs #team_usa #roman_anthony #alex_bregman
Roman Anthony ready to play in World Baseball Classic final FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Roman Anthony’s latest heroics in the World Baseball Classic, a go-ahead solo home run that propelled Team USA to a 2-1 semifinal victory over the Dominican Republic, left his Red Sox teammates in awe. The 21-year-old’s performance underscored his growing reputation as a clutch performer on the international stage. Anthony’s clutch hit in the semifinals came just days after he delivered a three-run homer in a 5-3 win over Mexico, further solidifying his role as a key contributor for Team USA. With six games under his belt in the tournament, he now boasts a .318 batting average, .423 on-base percentage, .591 slugging percentage, two home runs, and a team-leading seven RBIs. His standout performance has positioned him to face either Italy or Venezuela in the final, set for 8 p.m. ET on FOX. Teammates have praised Anthony’s poise and confidence, noting that his ability to thrive in high-pressure moments is nothing short of remarkable. Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story called him “a special kid,” emphasizing that Anthony’s success was anticipated despite his age and relative inexperience. “He’s earned it by the way he goes about his business,” Story said. “It’s crazy to think he’s doing this at 21, but he’s made it look natural.” Anthony’s journey to this point has been rapid. Just three years ago, he was a high school freshman who secured tickets to the 2023 WBC final by arranging a road trip with Minor League teammates. The group watched Team USA face Japan in a thrilling matchup, with Shohei Ohtani striking out Mike Trout to clinch the title for Japan. Now, Anthony has the chance to avenge that loss as the starting left fielder, a role he assumed after Arizona’s Corbin Carroll was sidelined with a broken hamate bone.#world_baseball_classic #team_usa #roman_anthony #red_sox #trevor_story
How Red Sox's Jarren Duran Described World Baseball Classic Experience Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran is competing for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. The 29-year-old player joined a group of Red Sox teammates making an early impact in the tournament after hitting a home run in Mexico’s 16-0 victory over Brazil. Following the game, Duran shared his thoughts with MLB Network’s Jon Morosi about the electric atmosphere at Daikin Park in Houston. A large crowd of Mexico fans filled the venue, creating a buzz that Duran described as more intense than the postseason series between the Red Sox and Yankees in October 2025. “You can’t describe it. You have to be here to witness it, but it’s one of the loudest crowds I’ve been a part of,” he said. “I got to play in the playoffs last year, and it doesn’t even come close to this.” Duran’s performance in spring training prior to the WBC included three home runs and two doubles across five games. He also went hitless in an 8-2 win over Great Britain, though he drew a walk and stole a base from the leadoff position. On Sunday, he contributed two RBIs in a 2-for-3 effort. After hitting his home run, Duran expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to play for Mexico. “I feel like I haven’t done much for this team, and I didn’t do much in the last WBC, but it meant a lot to me,” he said. “I was trying not to smile too much, but it means a lot to me to be able to do that for these fans.” Duran, who was born in California, emphasized his pride in honoring his father’s Mexican heritage. “When I hit that homer, the first thing I thought of was my dad and his family, and how I can represent the,” he said. “And I know they’re going crazy for me back home, so it means a lot to me.#world_baseball_classic #boston_red_sox #daikin_park #jarren_duran #roman_anthony
