The Boston Red Sox‘s 2026 schedule has sparked outrage among Boston supporters, who see their team and manager Alex Cora caught in the middle.
In an effort to accommodate the 2026 FIFA World Cup, many teams, including the Red Sox, have had unusual changes made to their schedules for next year.
The Red Sox will officially open their 2026 season on March 26 with a series against the Cincinnati Reds, followed by a home opener against the San Diego Padres.
The Red Sox will also face top competitors such as the Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, and Toronto Blue Jays.
While the early matchups promise competitive baseball, what has captured fans’ attention is an unusual doubleheader against the Seattle Mariners later in the season, a scheduling twist prompted by a FIFA World Cup match taking place in Seattle.
This unusual scheduling could pose challenges for the team’s travel and preparation but also adds an interesting wrinkle to the season.
Tyler Milliken, reporting on the schedule release, noted, “The 2026 Red Sox schedule is upon us! Rafael Devers will make his return to Fenway Park from August 21st to the 23rd.”
One of the most anticipated events of the season will be the return of former Red Sox star third baseman Rafael Devers, who spent nine seasons in Boston.
However, Devers‘ homecoming has been overshadowed by the Seattle doubleheader, which many fans view as a potential risk to Boston‘s early-season momentum.
The reasoning behind the back-to-back games is logistical: MLB is attempting to balance global events while keeping the domestic season on track.
But fans fear this compromises performance, with fatigue and extensive travel potentially undermining Boston‘s competitive edge.
Critics argue that condensed scheduling disrupts team rhythm and may inadvertently benefit divisional rivals.
Fans question fairness and league priorities
Boston supporters have not hidden their frustration, linking scheduling choices to commissioner Rob Manfred‘s well-known loyalty to the New York Yankees.
One fan commented, “Manfred genuinely hates us,” reflecting a perception that his personal fandom affects league decisions.
Others worried about the fairness of evenly balanced schedules, asking, “How do we protest against the balanced schedule,” underscoring anxiety over equalized matchups that could diminish traditional rivalries.
Another acknowledged the challenge in the schedule, but found hope in individual performances: “Jesus, that’s a brutal first month for the boys. Excited to see Rom go yard on the first pitch of the MLB year (in America).”
Fans are particularly concerned about the Seattle doubleheader, describing it as “very odd” and questioning how players will cope with back-to-back games amid World Cup conflicts.
The 2026 schedule demonstrates the tension between MLB’s global ambitions and the loyalty of local fanbases.
Red Sox supporters feel caught between a desire to see their team succeed and frustration over decisions that seem to prioritize corporate interests over competitive fairness.
Travel-heavy stretches, early-season trials, and international scheduling pressures have created a perfect storm of skepticism and debate.
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