The Boston Red Sox are 12-13 since April 26, the day Chad Tracy took over as interim manager. Though two more games, Alex Cora had only managed the team to 10 wins.
Even with a better record over each manager’s small sample size, many statistical categories are similar between the two. Tracy’s Red Sox are a little more aggressive after getting on base, but otherwise, many facets of the team’s game look virtually identical when turning off the TV and just comparing the numbers.
The team is still underwhelming in the power department, and that’s a criticism that can only be leveled at the front office, no matter how the coaching staff shakes out. But Tracy’s Sox appear to be looking to shift their approach on the offensive side of the nine innings. Cora’s offensive unit had a 7.1% rate of second base stealing attempts to Tracy’s 12%, and Cora used more pinch hitters, as well. Changes aimed at finding a rhythm are a welcome sight, made all the more important given the fact that if the Sox were able to produce even a league average offensive production (4.5 runs per game), the team would statistically be sitting at 32-14 with the best record in baseball (as of May 17).
One other glimmer of hope is sparkling through with the managerial change, and that’s Tracy’s consistent reassurance that the team is his and lineup decisions ultimately rest in his hands alone.
Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy joined Rich, Ken, and Ted to talk about his first few weeks in charge, including the collaborative effort on setting the lineups.@richkented @KenLairdWEEI @teddyjradio @heyrichhey @WEEI#MLB, #Baseball, #RedSox pic.twitter.com/vgFQhPyuu8
— WEEI (@WEEI) May 6, 2026
Chad Tracy has repeatedly made a point to flex his authority over the Red Sox lineup card
Tracy said that “the final pen-to-paper is my call,” according to reporting by Gabrielle Starr of The Boston Herald. This came a week after Tracy initially asserted his control over lineup decisions while appearing on WEEI. The insistence on his role is a comforting thing to hear given rumors that David Hamilton’s (short-lived) positive gameplay with the Brewers in Boston may have been the straw that broke the camel’s back in Craig Breslow’s eyes when considering Cora’s tenure.
Cora and Breslow reportedly clashed over numerous lineup decisions, including the discussion on where to play Caleb Durbin and Marcelo Mayer. Durbin has been a hard out at the plate but downright awful at actually putting the ball in play, yet he leads the league in outs above average at third base, proving Cora’s approach to be the correct one.
Tracy has left Durbin at third rather that shifting the defensive alignment to better suit his boss’ prior preferences, although he’s been out of the lineup entirely lately. Tracy appears to be actively positioning himself as the authority in the clubhouse, even if the Sox can’t turn things around this season, and it really doesn’t appear to be heading there, that’s a silver lining to take solace in.
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