Red Sox bullpen deserves far more attention for its dominant performance throughout 2026 season

Red Sox bullpen deserves far more attention for its dominant performance throughout 2026 season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Boston Red Sox’ starting rotation has really been the only part of the team that has been getting its flowers as of late. Ranger Suarez has been balling out, Sonny Gray has shown he’s still got gas in the tank, and Connelly Early and Payton Tolle have become a rising star duo for Boston. 

However, they shouldn’t be the only part of the team in the spotlight. Some of that shine should go to their pitching counterpart, the bullpen. 

Last year’s bullpen was elite 

In 2025, the Red Sox had the second-best bullpen in all of baseball, and the best in the American League. Highlighted by setup man Garrett Whitlock and closer Aroldis Chapman, it was basically game over when Boston’s starter left the mound with the lead. 

The Sox bullpen had an ERA of 3.41, which was the second-best in baseball. They also had 556 strikeouts, a WHIP of 1.25, and 45 saves.

Somehow, the bullpen got better

© Eric Canha-Imagn Images

The bullpen set the bar high in 2025, and yet they managed to go beyond it. They are still the second-best bullpen unit in the MLB, but they managed to drop their ERA down to 3.03.

Boston has five relievers with sub-3.00 ERAs, and three with sub 1.10 ERAs. Aroldis Chapman is still insane at 38 years old, with a 0.54 ERA, 22 Ks, a WHIP of 0.840 and 11 saves in 17 games. 

The Red Sox also have a future stud in rookie Tyler Samaniego, who has posted a 1.10 ERA, 13 Ks, and a WHIP of 1.163 in 16 games. 

The pitching staff truly is incredible 

May 8, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (44) and catcher Carlos Narvaez (75) celebrate after defeating the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

Thanks to the pitching staff, the Sox are barely hanging in as contenders. Currently, they are 21-27 and fourth in the AL East, but they are only 2.5 games back from the final spot in the AL Wild Card. 

If they can continue this production, the offense finally gets going, and the front office makes some moves at the deadline, Boston might actually have a chance to salvage one of their worst starts to a season in franchise history.

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