{"id":668842,"date":"2026-04-07T17:58:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T17:58:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/668842\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T17:58:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T17:58:15","slug":"frustrating-defensive-woes-still-dragging-red-sox-down","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/668842\/","title":{"rendered":"Frustrating Defensive Woes Still Dragging Red Sox Down"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are a plethora of reasons for the Boston Red Sox<\/a>‘s 2-8 start. However, poor defense is definitely a big one<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Red Sox’s sloppy fielding cost them again<\/a> on Monday night, contributing to their 8-6 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. Boston made two errors that contributed to two unearned runs, and that was ultimately the difference in the ballgame.<\/p>\n

That makes\u00a011 errors in\u00a010 games for the Red Sox, who’ve committed the second-most miscues in baseball behind only the Tampa Bay Rays. Those errors have led to six unearned runs and put additional stress on a pitching staff that’s struggled to begin the season<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately for Boston, shaky fielding is nothing new<\/a>. Despite turning over nearly their entire roster since 2020, one thing that’s remained constant for the Red Sox this decade has been bad defense.<\/p>\n

Boston’s committed the most errors in baseball since 2019<\/a>. For fans who follow the team on a nightly basis and have seen mistakes pile up over the years, that probably isn’t too surprising.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Red Sox rank among AL Errors<\/p>\n

2020: 2nd
2021: 1st
2022: 7th
2023: 1st
2024: 1st
2025: 1st<\/p>\n

2026 (so far): 2nd<\/p>\n

Flores was brought in as infield instructor before 2025 season to improve the defense – nothing has changed \u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Sox Scoop (@Sox_Scoop) April 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Red Sox committed the third-most errors in MLB in 2020, second-most in 2021, second-most in 2023, second-most in 2024, most in 2025 and second-most this year.<\/p>\n

With the exception of 2022, when Boston ranked middle-of-the-pack in errors, the Red Sox have consistently been one of the most mistake-prone and worst defensive teams in the sport for years now.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, subpar fielding has been a hallmark of both Chaim Bloom and Craig Breslow’s regimes, regardless of who’s been on the roster or coaching staff. It also reflects poorly on Alex Cora<\/a>, who’s been the manager every year since 2021.<\/p>\n

Boston’s had years to address its fielding woes but has yet to find a solution, contributing to the club’s underwhelming results this decade<\/a>. The Red Sox tried to improve their infield defense<\/a> this past winter, but so far, they haven’t gotten the results they were looking for.<\/p>\n

It’s still early in the season, and fielding mistakes tend to be more common this time of year. However, Boston must start playing better defense if it wants to turn this season around<\/a>.<\/p>\n

More MLB:\u00a0Red Sox’s Alex Cora Reveals What He Thinks Is Causing Roman Anthony’s Throwing Issues<\/a><\/p>\n