Red Sox-Tigers

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Lore & Background

After a 10–17 (.370) start, the Red Sox fired manager Alex Cora on April 25. Triple-A Worcester Red Sox manager Chad Tracy was subsequently named as the team's interim manager. On July 22, the team won its 15th game in a row to tie the franchise record for consecutive games won, established 80 years earlier by the 1946 Red Sox. At the end of the month, the Red Sox' 21–4 (.840) record set a new record for their highest monthly winning percentage in franchise history.

In Their Own Story

The turning point of Rodríguez's early career arrived in August 2020 when health complications threatened to end his season. After testing positive for COVID-19 on July 7, he was diagnosed with myocarditis, a heart condition often caused by viral infections. The Red Sox placed him on the injured list and announced in August that he would not pitch again in 2020. This setback led to a one-year, $8.3 million deal for 2021, where he made his first start since the previous year on April 8 against Baltimore. He finished the shortened season with a 13-8 record and 4.74 ERA before electing free agency in November. Following a qualifying offer from Boston that he declined, Rodríguez signed with the Detroit Tigers as a free agent before the 2022 season. After the 2023 campaign concluded, he secured his future by signing a four-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. His journey culminated in 2026 when he was named to his first All-Star game, solidifying his status as one of the league's premier pitchers.

Reader's Guide

The team's equipment departed Fenway Park on February 2, colloquially known as 'Truck Day', in preparation for their arrival in Fort Myers, Florida to begin Spring Training. The Red Sox' first spring training was an exhibition contest against the Northeastern Huskies at Fenway South on February 20. The team's Grapefruit League schedule ran from February 21 through March 24, including a game on March 3 against Puerto Rico as one of Puerto Rico's friendly preparation games ahead of the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The Red Sox compiled a 13–16 record across their Grapefruit League contests.

Did You Know?

• Eight Red Sox players were on teams which reached the semifinal round of the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
• Four Red Sox players appeared in the WBC final: Roman Anthony and Garrett Whitlock for the United States, and Wilyer Abreu and William Contreras for Venezuela.
• Abreu, Contreras, and Albert Suárez were crowned champions of the WBC after Venezuela defeated the U.S. 3–2 in the final.
• Roman Anthony was named to the All-WBC Team.