At quarter pole, Red Sox employ pitching, missing middle-order power

The Boston Red Sox employ an awkward roster.

With a quarter of the season complete, the Red Sox remain puzzling. Do they, as currently composed, appear capable of making a run at the AL East-frontrunning Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees without entering the trade market this summer?

At the 47-game mark, the Red Sox appeared to be missing consistent middle-of-the-order power. 

They also need to upgrade the third base position.

Take Monday's series-opening 3-1 win over the  Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Impressed or dismissive, the outing proved to be typical 2026 Boston baseball. Starting pitcher Sonny Gray allowed one earned run on five hits in six innings, striking out nine.

And the offense did just enough, securing their objective, three runs. Upon reaching that pedestrian milestone, the Red Sox improved to 18-8. In the 11 games since collecting 10 runs against the battered Detroit Tigers on May 5, the Red Sox scored three or fewer runs nine straight games.

The Red Sox were 10-17 when popular, World Series-winning manager Alex Cora was fired and replaced with Chad Tracy. The spark has been minimal.

The last-place Red Sox (20-27) entered Tuesday 11.5 games behind the Rays.

Do they have enough to make a run as currently composed?

Maybe.

Red Sox need slow starts to cease

The Red Sox entered Tuesday ranked No. 8 in team earned-run average (3.75). Fueled by rookie left-handers Payton Tolle and Connelly Early, the staff continues battling to compensate for an underperforming offense. Ranger Suarez replaced injured Garrett Crochet as staff ace.

Both infielder Trevor Story and top prospect Roman Anthony opened slowly this season and now both remain sidelined with injuries. Left fielder Jarren Duran collected the team's second-most at-bats (166), but posted the second-lowest batting average (.181). Third baseman Caleb Durbin, struggling to replace Alex Bregman, had the lowest (.165).

Anthony (finger) attempted to take a few swings Monday, but felt soreness. He likely will be shut down until later this week, possibly Thursday. Anthony was hitting .229 in 130 plate appearances before his injury.

The Red Sox's starting pitching could continue to be strong enough to make a late-summer playoffs push if the offense begins to trend higher.

If not, the awkward Red Sox could look to replace Duran and Durbin before the trade deadline.