After a horrific start, the 2026 Red Sox can learn something from the 2011 Red Sox
(070711 Boston, MA) Boston Red Sox shortstop Marco Scutaro celebrates second baseman Dustin Pedroia's three run homer with center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury in the third inning of a MLB game against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park Thursday, July 7, 2011. Staff Photo by Matt Stone (Photo by MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images)(070711 Boston, MA) Boston Red Sox shortstop Marco Scutaro celebrates second baseman Dustin Pedroia's three run homer with center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury in the third inning of a MLB game against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park Thursday, July 7, 2011. Staff Photo by Matt Stone(070711 Boston, MA) Boston Red Sox shortstop Marco Scutaro celebrates second baseman Dustin Pedroia's three run homer with center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury in the third inning of a MLB game against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park Thursday, July 7, 2011.
Staff Photo by Matt Stone (Photo by MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images) | MediaNews Group via Getty Images No team should ever want to replicate an 0-6 start, a chicken and beer-staining identity, or a catastrophic choking of a postseason berth. Obviously, that’s how the 2011 Red Sox crumbled in infamous fashion. That season, pumped up by a ridiculous offseason spending spree for Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez, saw an 0-6 road trip to open the year for Boston.
The Red Sox did not win a series until their return home to Fenway Park, when they took two of three from their rivals in the New York Yankees. This year, Boston needed four full series before finally taking two of three from the reigning National League Central champion Milwaukee Brewers. That temporarily restored spirit following a 2-8 start where recurring issues of poor defense, lack of innings from starting pitchers, and too many strikeouts at the plate reared their heads again.
But there’s no reason to panic about October aspirations just yet. The Red Sox are talented. Good baseball is ahead.
And believe it or not, the 2011 circus can prove how quick a season can turn for the better. For reference, the Red Sox head to St. Louis four games under .