The Boston Red Sox just pulled off one of the most incredible mid-season turnarounds in recent MLB memory, clawing their way back from the brink to secure a playoff spot. But according to ESPN’s David Schoenfield, all that grit, all that fight, all that impossible summer surge only warrants a “B” grade for their 2026 season. Seriously, a “B”? You gotta be kidding me.
From Absolute Disaster to Playoff-Bound
Let’s rewind a bit to how this season started for Boston: pure chaos. Roman Anthony and Garrett Crochet, two huge pieces, were both sidelined with injuries. Then, manager Alex Cora was out, fired by the club. At that point, the season looked completely cooked. I mean, donezo. They were one of the biggest disappointments in baseball, sitting at a brutal 32-46 mark on June 24. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow probably felt like he was next in line for the unemployment office, right alongside Cora.
But then something insane happened. Chad Tracy stepped up, and this Red Sox team caught fire. They went on an absolute heater over the summer, making up an insane amount of ground in the standings. They battled, they scrapped, and they did the impossible: they secured a playoff spot. This wasn’t just a good streak; Schoenfield himself admits it was a “huge surprise” given their mid-season record. This comeback is legitimately one of the more impressive mid-season turnarounds in MLB history. You just don’t see teams dig out of holes like that very often.
A “B” Grade Just Doesn’t Cut It
So, after all that, how does ESPN land on a “B” grade? Schoenfield writes, “The Red Sox are a playoff team, which isn’t necessarily a surprise, but it’s a huge surprise given they were 32-46 on June 24 and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow appeared like he might be joining manager Alex Cora on the unemployment line.” He acknowledges the incredible path but still settles on a “B.”
And that’s where I call shenanigans. Sure, the Red Sox didn’t snag the AL East title, and they’re not hitting 100 wins this year. But a “B” grade feels like a slap in the face for what they accomplished. You know who got a B+? The New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, and Los Angeles Dodgers. And the Chicago White Sox? They got an “A” grade, and they might not even win the AL Central! What kind of grading curve is this?
ESPN claims these grades consider the “context of each team’s situation.” Okay, so maybe the Red Sox were expected to be postseason contenders coming into the season, so the end result of a playoff spot isn’t a “surprise.” But the *journey* there? That’s the whole story! The adversity, the injuries, the coaching change, climbing back from an abysmal record. That improbable turnaround under Chad Tracy should absolutely boost their grade up a letter or two. This squad deserves at least a B+, if not an A- or better, for one of the most memorable comebacks in baseball this year.
Regardless of what some analyst in Bristol thinks, the Red Sox are in the postseason. They defied all expectations set for them mid-season, and that’s a story that deserves way more than just a “B.” Now, let’s see what this team can do once the real stakes kick in.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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