This Month May Shape the Red Sox Season

NEW YORK — As the Red Sox manager Alex Cora faced the press, his body language said it all. Pausing before speaking, he muttered the same two words twice: “Not great.”

At Yankee Stadium, Cora cut an uncharacteristically subdued figure. Gone was the animated energy he usually brings. Instead, he sat hunched, reflecting a season fraught with struggles and unmet promises. At the end of last year, Cora vowed the team would not endure another .500 finish like in 2024. Yet, here the Red Sox are, drifting with a 30-35 record that starkly contrasts earlier commitments of progress.

Currently anchored in fourth place in the AL East, the Sox have much to prove as they strive merely to breach the .500 mark, casting playoff dreams into uncertainty. Since Alex Bregman’s quad strain, Boston's lackluster 4-9 stint has underscored their need to regain footing quickly.

With the Yankees looming large, Boston's challenged right-hander, Walker Buehler, found himself pummeled early, trailing by seven runs by the second inning of the series' opener. Buehler's struggles were emblematic of a broader issue, with his ERA inflating to 5.18 alongside a rotation ranked 26th in MLB.

Buehler lamented post-game, “This organization put a lot of faith in me. And I've been f--king embarrassing.”

Even with the Yankees shining under baseball’s spotlight, the Red Sox, from a media perspective, have stolen headlines for all the wrong reasons. The transition of Rafael Devers to designated hitter was supposed to be smooth but turned rocky after complications with player assignments and Casas' unfortunate injury.

With Bregman and Casas out, the offensive burden falls on Devers, who, despite the drama, remains among MLB's elite hitters with Wilyer Abreu offering commendable support. Regardless, Boston's offensive prowess wasn't reflected in their defensive play, as their 56 errors lead the major leagues.

As we approach the July 31 trade deadline, Boston’s chief baseball officer Craig Breslow must decide whether to brace for a rebuild. With trade rumors already swirling around key players like Duran and Aroldis Chapman, the urgency is palpable. Furthermore, Cora's future may hang in the balance despite last year’s contract extension.

“At some point, it has to be on me,” Cora admitted after another disappointing loss. With a staggering 17 one-run losses, accountability is spreading thin.

The Yankees themselves turned adversity into advantage, with notable resilience after losing ace Gerrit Cole. So, the question lingers: Can the Red Sox muster a similar response? Time is scarce, and the month ahead is poised to determine not only the season’s course but potentially the future of key team facets.