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The rollercoaster start to the 2026 season for the Boston Red Sox has not gone unnoticed around MLB, and among some analysts. After ace Garrett Crochet was roughed up to the tune of 11 runs in 1.2 innings on Monday night against the Minnesota Twins, Dontrelle Willis unleashed on Crochet and the Red Sox.

Boston went on to lose the second game on Tuesday night and was on the verge of getting swept on Wednesday afternoon. Austin Martin immediately put Boston in a 1-0 hole in the bottom of the first inning. He launched a solo home run off Connelly Early. However, instead of letting things snowball, Boston responded to avoid a second series sweep early in 2026.

Boston Red Sox Shortstop Trevor Story Fuels Comeback Win Over Twins

Losing the first two games of the series with Crochet and Sonny Gray on the mound was not what manager Alex Cora was banking on. Furthermore, falling into an early hole in Game 3 was less than ideal. Then, out of nowhere, Boston rallied.

Trevor Story has struggled to begin the season. Cora, however, has stuck with him. That trust paid off on Wednesday afternoon at Target Field. Hitting clean up, Story went 2-for-4 with 5 RBIs in a 9-5 Red Sox win. After the game, Story didn’t beat around the bush what a win like that means for him and his teammates.

“We’re (three) weeks into the season, and we feel like we haven’t played anywhere close to our best baseball,” Story said. “And it could be way worse. Once we get rolling and once we get to doing the things that we know we can do on a consistent basis, we’re excited about that.”

He’s right, it could be way worse. Boston responded to Martin’s home run with a five-run third inning. Story capped the uprising with a three-run home run. In the sixth inning, Story increased the lead to 9-1 with a two-run double. Minnesota made things interesting in the bottom of the ninth. They scored four runs off Ryan Watson to make the final score respectable. The day belonged to Story. It was a game he needed to get on track at the plate.

Red Sox Lineup Was Missing Key Players

Wednesday’s lineup was one that was shorthanded for Boston. Willson Contreras was out with lower back tightness. However, Boston is hoping a stint on the injured list is in his future. If that’s the case, the offense could be in trouble. Wilyer Abreu missed the game for rest.

That day of rest comes with Thursday being an off day. The Red Sox return home for a daunting home stand against two contenders. The Detroit Tigers visit over the weekend for four games, then the New York Yankees visit for three. Sitting at 7-11, the Red Sox face a big early-season test.

However, Story’s batting average is over .200, after his 2-for-4 day in the Twin Cities. It’s not much, but progress. Batting cleanup, he delivered a series-saving performance. Now, returning home, they get the Tigers first, then the Yankees. If there were two series where Boston could turn things around, it’s over the next week. On the other hand, a tough homestand could quickly turn things the other way. It will certainly be an interesting week in Boston.