When Chad Tracy took over as interim manager of the Boston Red Sox, he had a more than uphill battle ahead of him. Tracy was tasked with taking over for one of the winningest managers in team history, Alex Cora, who was fired in a widely criticized move. On top of the vitriol from fans and media alike, the Red Sox were floundering to a 10-17 record through the first 27 games of their season. 

It didn’t happen instantaneously, but Tracy has authored one of the greatest comebacks in sports history, taking Boston from 14 games under .500 and the basement of the American League to the hottest team in baseball, surging towards the top wild card position and potentially the American League East crown. 

Since naming Tracy interim manager, the Red Sox have the best record in the American League and the second-best record in the sport at 53-34. 

The turnaround is, of course, thanks to a pitching staff that has posted a league-low 3.19 ERA since Cora’s firing. But the offense has more than stepped up to the plate, ranking top 10 in batting average (.253, 6th), on-base percentage (.323, 8th), slugging percentage (.419, 5th), while ranking just outside the top 10 in runs scored (405, 12th) and weighted runs created plus (103, 12th). 

Perhaps what has been most important in the Red Sox turnaround under Tracy, though, has been his ability to get the team, specifically a pair of veterans in Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras, to buy in. It took some time, but Tracy has been able to tap into this group and get them to believe that they can dig out of this hole. Reports like the one from Alex Speier of the Boston Globe about that text message sent to the team after the Colorado series, saying that he believes they’ll come out of the rough stretch on the other side.  

“I think this is a team that has found some belief in itself,” said WEEI Red Sox pre/postgame host Joe Weil on the ‘Entering Kenmore’ Podcast. “Chad Tracy really has his finger on the pulse of this group,” he continued. 

Part of that buy-in for the Red Sox roster is playing to their newfound style that better fits their roster construction. In the month of July, the Red Sox leaned much more into the small ball and manufacturing runs, leading the league in sacrifice bunts with 13. As the offense has continued to be successful playing their brand of baseball, the ‘team first’ attitude has been infectious, with batters looking to move runners over via the bunt even when Tracy doesn’t give them the sign.  

“It’s a credit to Tracy understanding the personnel and realizing we have to win our way,” Weil said of the Red Sox' newfound offensive identity. “I think the buy-in is key, though; there is real, legitimate buy-in from everybody on the team about the brand of baseball this team is playing,” he continued. 

That’s the million-dollar question. As noted by ESPN’s Buster Olney, after this miraculous turnaround, Tracy has earned himself the job for 2027 and beyond. So what’s the point of maintaining the interim tag?

It was a hectic month for front offices across baseball with the MLB Draft quickly followed by the trade deadline. However, with both now in the rearview mirror, Boston Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow can turn his attention to some end-of-season housekeeping, including potential extensions for Sonny Gray and Adley Rutschman, as well as Tracy’s status moving forward. 

The Red Sox will look to make it 10 straight series wins and extend their winning streak to 10 on Saturday afternoon, taking on the Athletics in game two of three from Fenway Park. Jake Bennett (7-4, 2.90 ERA) will get the start for Boston opposite Gage Jump (4-7, 4.59 ERA) for the Athletics. First pitch is set for 4:10 p.m. ET.