Red Sox: It’s time for manager Alex Cora to shake things up

With the Boston Red Sox falling to a record of 2-6, it’s time to start wondering what Ale Cora can do to shake things up.

Another day, another frustrating loss. That’s been the trend that’s become all too common for the Boston Red Sox through the first eight games of the season. Long faces, frustrating at-bats, senseless baserunning, non-competitive pitching, and lazy body language.

Those things were unheard of in the 2018 Red Sox clubhouse, and Alex Cora is taking full responsibility for the slow start. In his press conference yesterday, he mentioned the attention to detail Boston has been lacking.

"“Right now, we’re not paying attention to details,” said Cora, per The Boston Herald’s Jason Mastrodonato. “So that’s on us. That’s on me. That’s on the staff. I know they have made mistakes, but at the same time, I think it gets to a point that we have to keep teaching the game and putting them in spots that they’re going to take advantage of certain situations.”"

Those details have certainly been lacking, as Boston made three crucial outs on the basepaths alone this week in their series versus Oakland. A’s center fielder Ramon Laureano, who arguably has the best arm in baseball, got the best of Xander Bogaerts not once but twice, and Mookie Betts yesterday.

Not to mention a rare mental lapse between two gold glovers, Betts and Bradley Jr. in the outfield. What should have been a routine fly ball, instead drifted all the way back to the warning track and plopped in between the two teammates, who each walked away from the scene like two upset puppies with their tail between their legs.

So, at what point do you look back at the first eight games and say, ‘it’s time for a change’?

I would think it’s sooner rather than later before it’s too late. What that change is, I’m not sure. That’s why they pay Cora to do that kind of task. Maybe it’s shake up the order, move positions around, give some guys a day off and let Blake Swihart or Steve Pearce have more of an opportunity.

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Shifting the order around may do wonders for Boston, and now that Pearce is off the IL, it may give Cora a chance to work Eduardo Nunez, who’s struggled mightily, out of the lineup

There’s also hope that Dustin Pedroia will be ready for the home opener next week, too. When that does happen, it may give Cora a headache over how to distribute the playing time equally in order to please everyone. But, the harsh reality of sports is you never ever can make everyone happy.

Pedroia is the veteran, he deserves a shot to get his position back. The most interesting part, however, is where he’ll hit in the order.

No matter what changes are made, it can’t be worse than what Boston has going for themselves right now. With still a three-game stop in Arizona before returning home, Boston is likely chomping at the bit to get back on the plane and head back to beloved Fenway Park.

Game one against the D-Backs comes your way tonight at 7:10p ET when the Red Sox hand the ball to Rick Porcello.