Regardless of the result on the scoreboard, the Boston Red Sox's offense has felt a bit more lively recently. Given the team's severe struggles since the beginning of the season, that "bit more" can make a world of difference.
The Red Sox knocked 10 doubles during their May 15-17 series against the Atlanta Braves, the most in MLB during that span. Boston has 47 hits but just 13 runs in the last seven days (as of May 19). The team's issues with runners in scoring position still exist, but it's getting more opportunities to score, whether or not its making the best of them.
Multiple new-ish bats have been introduced to the lineup in the last few weeks: Boston called Mickey Gasper up in the wake of Roman Anthony's injury and summoned Nick Sogard when Trevor Story hit the injured list, but he's had most of his playing time at third base to give Caleb Durbin a rest. The two Triple-A favorites of Chad Tracy's, plus Andruw Monasterio, who's getting more playing time now that Story is sidelined, have helped the Red Sox's offense wake up.
Anthony had been struggling through the first few weeks of the season before he sprained a ligament in his finger. Gasper has come up and hit shockingly well in his stead, with 10 hits, including two doubles, and two RBI in eight games.
Sogard has three hits, including a double, and a stellar defensive play since he came up to join the Sox. Monasterio is batting .256/.301/.397 on the season, but he's slashing .321/.321/.464 in his last seven games.
Three hitters who weren't in the Opening Day lineup have been tearing it up for the Red Sox, but they shouldn't be carrying any team
Tampa Bay Red Sox. Boston Rays.
— Keagan Stiefel (@KeaganStiefel) May 19, 2026
I’d like for them to actually spend money on guys who impact the baseball, but this cheap option might actually end up working out with all these fringe players. https://t.co/x2EbLz3gto
Red Sox fans have taken well to the new group of their best hitters — as fans of a team with one of the worst offenses in recent memory of the franchise would. But they can't help but think different bats should be at the top of Sox fans' minds.
As desperate as Boston has been to get its bats going, any offense from any player is a positive development. However, the Red Sox play in one of the biggest markets in the league, they're one of the winningest teams since the turn of the millennium (the winningest, in terms of championships) and they had huge expectations on their shoulders after making the postseason last year for the first time in four seasons.
Signing a top-tier free agent like Kyle Schwarber, Pete Alonso, or even Eugenio Suárez should've been at the very top of the Red Sox's offseason to-do list. As Red Sox fans well know, Alex Bregman would've been an excellent fit in Boston. Not signing a veteran bat with home run power remains roster malpractice for Craig Breslow and the Red Sox front office — even more so now that Story, Jarren Duran and Roman Anthony haven't been able to deliver under the pressure of their roles.
The outcome of the first month of the 2026 season has already gotten Alex Cora fired and Breslow's job is on the line next. A trade for a big bat could be the answer before the trade deadline, but his offseason resource allocation was flawed enough that even that idea could make fans nervous.
A breakout from Anthony could be the answer to the Red Sox's woes, but they wouldn't need to bank on that if they built their roster correctly in the first place. For now, Gasper, Monasterio and Sogard will have to do.
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