No more passive baseball as Chad Tracy triggers a base stealing revolution for Red Sox

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The Boston Red Sox’ almost complete overhaul of their coaching staff surprised everyone. AAA Worcester Red Sox Chad Tracy was probably just as surprised when he was made the interim manager.

Tracy’s first game was yesterday, and he didn’t disappoint. He led the Sox to victory in a rubber match over the Baltimore Orioles, 5-3. Tracy has also already shown he isn’t Alex Cora, and his keys to winning are much different.

Using Boston’s athleticism

Tracy showed his first difference through basestealing. Before last game, the Sox had only stolen 16 bases in 27 games. Last game, they stole four bases.

Tracy made it clear in a post-game press conference that he was going to fully lean into the Sox’ inherent athletic ability, and they would be aggressive baserunners.

“Style matches the team. We have guys that are athletic, fast. We have speed. So we can create things…you want to be aggressive,” Tracy stated.

Turning Ceddanne Rafaela into a slugging star

Under Alex Cora, Rafaela was never a true star hitter. He would hit in the backend of the order, and more often than not, he was the nine hole hitter to give Boston some speed at the end of their lineup.

Tracy’s idea for Rafaela was much different. He decided Rafaela should go right into the heart of the order, reserved usually for the Sox’ best hitters. And after yesterday, it seems like that was a smart choice.

Rafaela finished 2-4, with a double and a triple, one RBI and one run scored. His two runs are what won them the game, and putting him in the middle created some key run production.

Taking Roman Anthony out of the leadoff spot

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In 31 games as a leadoff last season, Roman Anthony hit .336 with six home runs and 17 RBI. So far this season in pretty much every game he played, Anthony led off. However, he’s not replicating the production of last season, so Tracy decided to move him into the third spot in the lineup.

One big reason for this is the fact Anthony is not a base stealer. He only stole four bases last season, and for your leadoff hitter, he usually has the ability to steal. Anthony only got away with it due to his insane hitting stats at leadoff, but since he's slumping, he got moved. Tracy putting Jarren Duran there makes sense, as he’s capable of 34 stolen bases in a season.

While there’s only a one game sample size, Tracy has proven he’s much different than Cora, but he’s a winner. Hopefully that continues, and the Sox go back to being the contenders they were last year.

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