2026 Red Sox End May on a High Note
On the final day of May, the Red Sox delivered a late-spring gift, beating the Guardians 9-4 and securing a win in the weekend series in Cleveland. Boston improves to 25-33, miraculously just three games removed from an American League playoff spot. A return home is next on the schedule, as the Orioles come to town on Tuesday. Fenway fans will hope to see play similar to that of the most recent game, which featured an impressive offensive outing, competent pitching, and a hopeful end to Chad Tracy’s first full month as manager.
Hits All Around!
Every single player that started for the nine-time World Series Champions recorded a hit. Many of these came during a six-run Sox surge in the seventh inning. Highlights on the afternoon included Jarren Duran’s 10th home run of the year, a solo shot, and Caleb Durbin’s first triple, a two-run poke that finished the game’s scoring. Boston finished the series with 21 total runs, a vast improvement from the quiet offense that has become synonymous with the season.
The Arms Get It Done
The outing from starter Ranger Suarez might not have been perfect, but there was, nevertheless, a lot to like. The four earned runs distract from his ten strikeouts and a mere two walks. The control was absolutely there, and it prevented multiple innings from getting uglier. The bullpen did their thing too; not uniquely spellbinding but exactly as steady as you’d hope to quiet the bats of a first-place Cleveland team.
Chad Tracy Turns One
Not literally, but his tenure as manager only began at the end of April, so May was the first complete Tracy experience. So far, so…meh? The team has not looked dramatically different from Alex Cora’s reign, though the stats point to incremental improvement. They were 13-14 for the month, an improvement from April and the week of March ball; however, that could be a result of players organically settling into the regular season. It’s worth noting, as usual, that the team is still dealing with high-profile injuries, even if stars could return soon. Perhaps when everyone is healthy, Chad can distinguish himself as a leader. Anything can happen in June.
