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Red Sox Fall To Worst 40-Game Start In Decades After Loss To Rays
TL;DR
The Boston Red Sox suffered a 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, marking their worst 40-game start in decades. This defeat highlights a troubling trend for the team as they reach the quarter mark of the season.
Key points
- Boston Red Sox lost 4-1 to Tampa Bay Rays
- This marks their worst 40-game start in decades
- The loss occurred on Mother's Day
Boston Red SoxTampa Bay Rays
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras
Red Sox Fall To Worst 40-Game Start In Decades After Loss To Rays originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Boston Red Sox reached a significant milestone on Sunday with their 40th game of the season, hitting the quarter mark of their season.
Unfortunately, it hasn't been a good first quarter for the stumbling Red Sox, who lost again with a 4-1 home defeat to the Tampa Bay Rays on Mother's Day.
The loss dropped Boston to 17-23 and last place in the AL East. According to USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale, it's the Red Sox's worst 40-game start since 1997.
That's a bad sign for Boston, which finished 1997 fourth in the AL East with a 78-84 record. According to FanGraphs, its playoff odds are just 29.6 percent entering play on Monday.
The Red Sox are pitching well and playing good defense, but they continue to flounder offensively, scoring just three runs over their last two games combined. Boston ranks 27th in scoring at 3.90 runs per game, 28th in home runs, 29th in slugging percentage and 28th in OPS.
The Red Sox have also weirdly struggled at Fenway Park, losing two of three there over the weekend. They're 7-12 at home this season and averaging just 2.94 runs per game there.
The good news is that Boston still has three quarters of a season left to turn things around, starting Tuesday at home against the Philadelphia Phillies. The bad news is that the Phillies are one of the hottest teams in baseball after winning 10 of their last 13 games.
More MLB: Why 2026 Red Sox Are Complete Anomaly Compared To Previous Seasons
Q&A
What is the Boston Red Sox's record after 40 games this season?
The Boston Red Sox have the worst 40-game start in decades, although the exact record is not specified.
Who did the Red Sox lose to on Mother's Day?
The Red Sox lost to the Tampa Bay Rays with a score of 4-1.
What milestone did the Red Sox reach with their 40th game?
The Red Sox reached the quarter mark of their season with their 40th game.
