Red Sox take a hit in the power rankings after a tough week on the road originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Boston Red Sox did not get off to the start they were hoping for. Under manager Alex Cora, they went 10-17, which prompted the front office to part ways with Cora and a handful of others on the coaching staff.
Chad Tracy took over as the interim manager, and he has made a strong case to keep the job after this year. Boston has done a complete 180 with him as skipper.
They are 56-41 under Tracy, and they now sit at a 66-58 record, which has them currently in line to make the postseason in the American League wild card.
MORE: Red Sox help expose Pirates’ costly trade deadline mistake
Red Sox take a hit in the power rankings after a tough week on the road
Last week, the Red Sox earned the No. 6 spot in the power rankings, but after a tough road schedule last week, they have slid a few spots.
Boston took on the Toronto Blue Jays on the road, losing the series 1-3 before losing the series 1-2 against the Pittsburgh Pirates on the road. Because of this, Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter knocks the club down to No. 10.
"The Red Sox began August with six straight wins as part of a nine-game winning streak overall, but they are now just 2-7 in their last nine with three consecutive series losses. They are averaging just 3.6 runs per game during that recent skid, and deadline pickup Adley Rutschman is 1-for-17 with nine strikeouts in a Red Sox uniform."
Boston is going to have to get over this stretch of lackluster baseball if they want to keep their wild card spot. There are plenty of teams in the AL that are fighting for a spot, and the Red Sox need to separate themselves while they have a chance before others make up ground.
More MLB news:
- Adley Rutschman’s brutal Red Sox start could spell trouble after blockbuster trade with Orioles
- Pirates improved in power rankings despite looming Paul Skenes dilemma
- Why Royals DFA'd former Pirates, Mets All-Star outfielder Starling Marte
- Guardians fall in the power rankings despite an easy schedule ahead