The Red Sox have been slow to make changes and it’s driving me insane
HOUSTON, TX - MARCH 30: Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora (13) gives interviews from the visitors' dugout during the MLB game between the Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros on March 30, 2026 at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images I didn’t want to have to be the one to tell you guys this, but the old adage that “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results” isn’t actually true. The Boston Red Sox are doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results, though, and it is actually driving me to insanity… I’ve been trying to decide which individual examples to share with you all, because we could talk about the big picture and how they haven’t addressed the outfield logjam, or how they talk about getting better defensively but don’t do anything to actually get better defensively, or the outright refusal to extend themselves to fill needs through free agency, but there’s plenty to get into when it comes to the on-field product.
What is with this horrendous approach? Jarren Duran (41. 8%), Willson Contreras (40.
8%), Roman Anthony (36. 2%), and Trevor Story (34. 1%) were among the league leaders in whiff percentage entering Monday’s series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers.
If that annoys you, you probably won’t be thrilled to learn that Duran (65%) and Anthony (52. 6%) were also among the league leaders in out-of-zone whiff percentage – which means they’re making horrific decisions. I’ll go out on a limb and say that if the ball isn’t in the strike zone, you shouldn’t be swinging.
Ceddanne Rafaela (41%), Contreras (29%), Duran (29%), Anthony (28%), Story (25%), Marcelo Mayer (21%), and Carlos Narváez (19%) are all missing the ball on swings inside the zone at an above-average rate, to be fair – not that it will make you feel any better. Boston’s biggest issue at the plate seems to come in the form of the approach. It’s amazing how difficult it has been for the lineup to chase the opposing starting pitcher, as they have allowed 8-of-10 to go at least 5.