Will the 2026 Red Sox exceed expectations?
Two different paths should lead to same destination
New York, NY - September 30: Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora smiles during a press conference before Game 1 of the Wild Card playoff series at Yankee Stadium on September 30, 2025. (Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images The Boston Red Sox enter 2026 with the clear expectation of returning to the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time in eight years. The 2026 team stands on a foundation of exceptionally deep starting pitching, horses to stabilize the bullpen, and colossal pressure on Roman Anthony to carry a reshuffled offense.
In fact, it’s basically the opposite of how they entered the season last year in terms of roster construction. Boston’s 2025 Opening Day lineup in Texas seemed poised to put on a power show all summer long; the pressure was on newly-acquired ace Garrett Crochet to anchor an injury-plagued, inconsistent rotation. But these two completely different roster constructions should land the Red Sox in the exact same place: A playoff berth, likely followed by an early exit in the building block years of a return to contention.
The 2026 team, like last year’s version, should teeter around 90 wins, though playing through the gauntlet that is the American League East says more about Boston’s talent than the win total. What’s probably ahead for the Red Sox is a simple step forward. Host playoff action at Fenway Park and make it to the ALDS.
Anything added on is gravy. You know what this two-year stretch feels like? The building stages we went through in 2016 and 2017.