
Boone: Cole needs 'several more' rehab outings
Aaron Boone says Gerrit Cole needs 'several more' rehab outings before returning.
The Boston Red Sox have had a disappointing start to the 2026 season, currently sitting at 8-11. However, advanced statistics suggest that their underperformance may be due to bad luck rather than a lack of talent.
Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story
Advanced Stats Provide Reasons For Optimism Amid Red Sox's Disappointing Start originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Three weeks into the 2026 season, the Boston Red Sox have been one of the more disappointing teams in baseball this year. They got off to one ot their worst starts in team history and enter play on Saturday 8-11.
While the Red Sox have underachieved thus far, much of that can be chalked up to bad luck and underperformance. Boston has too much talent to stay below .500 for long and should start playing better baseball eventually.
Accordingly, better days are ahead for the Red Sox. And according to MLB.com's Travis Sawchik, there are several advanced stats that indicate Boston is due for a turnaround, giving their fans reason for optimism.
For example, the Red Sox have struggled offensively despite hitting the ball hard.Ā They ranked seventh in the Majors inĀ hard-hit percentageĀ (42.4) entering play Friday, while also ranking above averageĀ in average exit velocity (89.8 mph) and barrels per batted ball (8.0).
The Boston Red Sox currently have a record of 8-11 in the 2026 season.
The Boston Red Sox are seen as underachievers due to their talent level not matching their disappointing record, attributed to bad luck and underperformance.
Advanced statistics suggest that the Red Sox's struggles may be temporary and that their talent will eventually lead to improved performance.

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However, that hard contact hasn't translated to much success yet. Boston ranks tied for last in home runs, 25th in slugging percentage andĀ 19th in scoring. That should change soon, especially once the weather warms up and the Red Sox start playing more games at Fenway Park.
Boston's best players also haven't played up to their usual standards yet, namely Roman Anthony and Garrett Crochet. Anthony'sĀ 91st percentile bat speed andĀ 11.1 percent barrel rate should start yielding better results soon. Meanwhile, Crochet has historically struggled early in the year and had the exact same 95.9 mph average velocity on his four-seam fastball last April, so there's no reason to worry about him just yet.
Once Anthony and Crochet get back on track, the rest of the team should follow suit.