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Deadspin | Celtics return home with chance to finish off reeling Sixers  Apr 26, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) reacts after making a three point basket against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images   The Boston Celtics can close out the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series with the visiting Philadelphia 76ers in Game 5 on Tuesday night.    After splitting two games in Boston, the second-seeded Celtics took a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series by beating the seventh-seeded 76ers twice in Philadelphia.    “Played another about-as-bad-as-you-can-play game,” Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse said following Boston’s 128-96 victory in Game 4. “That’s two out of four in this series. Played well in the other two and we got to get back to playing well quickly. Got to go get one.”    Philadelphia can point to defending the perimeter as one of the must-fix items on the 76ers’ list in order to stave off elimination. The Celtics made 24 3-pointers during Game 4, shooting 48.3% overall and 45.3% from 3-point range.    Payton Pritchard, Boston’s backup point guard, made 6 of 12 3-pointers and tossed in 32 points in the Game 4 victory. Pritchard was 2-of-13 from 3-point territory in the first two games of the series and then made 5 of 10 3-pointers in Boston’s Game 3 win.    “I don’t know if I saw anything different,” Pritchard said. “It’s just more playing with that aggression, playing with that spark. I felt it in Game 3. I was telling some of the coaches I thought it was a step in the right direction as far as my aggression and getting my rhythm back.”    Boston’s 24 3-point field goals set a franchise record for made 3-pointers in a playoff game. Jayson Tatum made five shots from beyond the 3-point arc.    “It was very bad,” Nurse said when asked about his team’s defensive effort in Game 4. “It just didn’t seem like any matchup could guard anybody one-on-one. We had them pushed out and bottled up and physical and really off kind of rhythm for a couple games, and there was none of that “     Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid returned to the court after missing the first three games in the series following an emergency appendectomy on April 9. He finished with a team-high 26 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists, but didn’t get a lot of offensive support.   Tyrese Maxey scored 22 points, but attempted only three shots in the first half. VJ Edgecombe was 2-of-9 from the field and had six points.    “That can’t happen,” Maxey said. “That’s on me. That absolutely can’t happen. That’s unacceptable by me. I was playing within the flow of the game and it kind of just happened that way.   ” … We can’t win basketball games with that happening and I take full responsibility on that one.”     Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said the Celtics have to be prepared for Philadelphia’s best effort in Game 5.    “Regardless of who we’re playing against, we have to have an understanding that they are a really good team,” he said. “They can beat you on any given night. They’ve got great talent with the three stars that they have (Embiid, Maxey, and Paul George) and their role players when they are at their best … We’ve got to be disciplined on all the things that we can control – physical, mental, emotional, psychological, tactical, all of them.”    The winner of the Celtics/76ers series will meet either third-seeded New York or sixth-seeded Atlanta in the next round. That series is 2-2 headed back to New York for Game 5 Tuesday.    “We’ve got three chances to win one game,” Jaylen Brown said. “And the goal is just to get it done as soon as possible.”    –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Celtics #return #home #chance #finish #reeling #Sixers

Deadspin | Celtics return home with chance to finish off reeling Sixers
Deadspin | Celtics return home with chance to finish off reeling Sixers  Apr 26, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) reacts after making a three point basket against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images   The Boston Celtics can close out the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series with the visiting Philadelphia 76ers in Game 5 on Tuesday night.    After splitting two games in Boston, the second-seeded Celtics took a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series by beating the seventh-seeded 76ers twice in Philadelphia.    “Played another about-as-bad-as-you-can-play game,” Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse said following Boston’s 128-96 victory in Game 4. “That’s two out of four in this series. Played well in the other two and we got to get back to playing well quickly. Got to go get one.”    Philadelphia can point to defending the perimeter as one of the must-fix items on the 76ers’ list in order to stave off elimination. The Celtics made 24 3-pointers during Game 4, shooting 48.3% overall and 45.3% from 3-point range.    Payton Pritchard, Boston’s backup point guard, made 6 of 12 3-pointers and tossed in 32 points in the Game 4 victory. Pritchard was 2-of-13 from 3-point territory in the first two games of the series and then made 5 of 10 3-pointers in Boston’s Game 3 win.    “I don’t know if I saw anything different,” Pritchard said. “It’s just more playing with that aggression, playing with that spark. I felt it in Game 3. I was telling some of the coaches I thought it was a step in the right direction as far as my aggression and getting my rhythm back.”    Boston’s 24 3-point field goals set a franchise record for made 3-pointers in a playoff game. Jayson Tatum made five shots from beyond the 3-point arc.    “It was very bad,” Nurse said when asked about his team’s defensive effort in Game 4. “It just didn’t seem like any matchup could guard anybody one-on-one. We had them pushed out and bottled up and physical and really off kind of rhythm for a couple games, and there was none of that “     Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid returned to the court after missing the first three games in the series following an emergency appendectomy on April 9. He finished with a team-high 26 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists, but didn’t get a lot of offensive support.   Tyrese Maxey scored 22 points, but attempted only three shots in the first half. VJ Edgecombe was 2-of-9 from the field and had six points.    “That can’t happen,” Maxey said. “That’s on me. That absolutely can’t happen. That’s unacceptable by me. I was playing within the flow of the game and it kind of just happened that way.   ” … We can’t win basketball games with that happening and I take full responsibility on that one.”     Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said the Celtics have to be prepared for Philadelphia’s best effort in Game 5.    “Regardless of who we’re playing against, we have to have an understanding that they are a really good team,” he said. “They can beat you on any given night. They’ve got great talent with the three stars that they have (Embiid, Maxey, and Paul George) and their role players when they are at their best … We’ve got to be disciplined on all the things that we can control – physical, mental, emotional, psychological, tactical, all of them.”    The winner of the Celtics/76ers series will meet either third-seeded New York or sixth-seeded Atlanta in the next round. That series is 2-2 headed back to New York for Game 5 Tuesday.    “We’ve got three chances to win one game,” Jaylen Brown said. “And the goal is just to get it done as soon as possible.”    –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Celtics #return #home #chance #finish #reeling #SixersApr 26, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) reacts after making a three point basket against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

The Boston Celtics can close out the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series with the visiting Philadelphia 76ers in Game 5 on Tuesday night.

After splitting two games in Boston, the second-seeded Celtics took a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series by beating the seventh-seeded 76ers twice in Philadelphia.

“Played another about-as-bad-as-you-can-play game,” Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse said following Boston’s 128-96 victory in Game 4. “That’s two out of four in this series. Played well in the other two and we got to get back to playing well quickly. Got to go get one.”

Philadelphia can point to defending the perimeter as one of the must-fix items on the 76ers’ list in order to stave off elimination. The Celtics made 24 3-pointers during Game 4, shooting 48.3% overall and 45.3% from 3-point range.

Payton Pritchard, Boston’s backup point guard, made 6 of 12 3-pointers and tossed in 32 points in the Game 4 victory. Pritchard was 2-of-13 from 3-point territory in the first two games of the series and then made 5 of 10 3-pointers in Boston’s Game 3 win.

“I don’t know if I saw anything different,” Pritchard said. “It’s just more playing with that aggression, playing with that spark. I felt it in Game 3. I was telling some of the coaches I thought it was a step in the right direction as far as my aggression and getting my rhythm back.”

Boston’s 24 3-point field goals set a franchise record for made 3-pointers in a playoff game. Jayson Tatum made five shots from beyond the 3-point arc.

“It was very bad,” Nurse said when asked about his team’s defensive effort in Game 4. “It just didn’t seem like any matchup could guard anybody one-on-one. We had them pushed out and bottled up and physical and really off kind of rhythm for a couple games, and there was none of that “


Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid returned to the court after missing the first three games in the series following an emergency appendectomy on April 9. He finished with a team-high 26 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists, but didn’t get a lot of offensive support.

Tyrese Maxey scored 22 points, but attempted only three shots in the first half. VJ Edgecombe was 2-of-9 from the field and had six points.

“That can’t happen,” Maxey said. “That’s on me. That absolutely can’t happen. That’s unacceptable by me. I was playing within the flow of the game and it kind of just happened that way.

” … We can’t win basketball games with that happening and I take full responsibility on that one.”

Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said the Celtics have to be prepared for Philadelphia’s best effort in Game 5.

“Regardless of who we’re playing against, we have to have an understanding that they are a really good team,” he said. “They can beat you on any given night. They’ve got great talent with the three stars that they have (Embiid, Maxey, and Paul George) and their role players when they are at their best … We’ve got to be disciplined on all the things that we can control – physical, mental, emotional, psychological, tactical, all of them.”

The winner of the Celtics/76ers series will meet either third-seeded New York or sixth-seeded Atlanta in the next round. That series is 2-2 headed back to New York for Game 5 Tuesday.

“We’ve got three chances to win one game,” Jaylen Brown said. “And the goal is just to get it done as soon as possible.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Celtics #return #home #chance #finish #reeling #Sixers

Apr 26, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) reacts after making a three point basket against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

The Boston Celtics can close out the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series with the visiting Philadelphia 76ers in Game 5 on Tuesday night.

After splitting two games in Boston, the second-seeded Celtics took a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series by beating the seventh-seeded 76ers twice in Philadelphia.

“Played another about-as-bad-as-you-can-play game,” Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse said following Boston’s 128-96 victory in Game 4. “That’s two out of four in this series. Played well in the other two and we got to get back to playing well quickly. Got to go get one.”

Philadelphia can point to defending the perimeter as one of the must-fix items on the 76ers’ list in order to stave off elimination. The Celtics made 24 3-pointers during Game 4, shooting 48.3% overall and 45.3% from 3-point range.

Payton Pritchard, Boston’s backup point guard, made 6 of 12 3-pointers and tossed in 32 points in the Game 4 victory. Pritchard was 2-of-13 from 3-point territory in the first two games of the series and then made 5 of 10 3-pointers in Boston’s Game 3 win.

“I don’t know if I saw anything different,” Pritchard said. “It’s just more playing with that aggression, playing with that spark. I felt it in Game 3. I was telling some of the coaches I thought it was a step in the right direction as far as my aggression and getting my rhythm back.”

Boston’s 24 3-point field goals set a franchise record for made 3-pointers in a playoff game. Jayson Tatum made five shots from beyond the 3-point arc.

“It was very bad,” Nurse said when asked about his team’s defensive effort in Game 4. “It just didn’t seem like any matchup could guard anybody one-on-one. We had them pushed out and bottled up and physical and really off kind of rhythm for a couple games, and there was none of that “

Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid returned to the court after missing the first three games in the series following an emergency appendectomy on April 9. He finished with a team-high 26 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists, but didn’t get a lot of offensive support.

Tyrese Maxey scored 22 points, but attempted only three shots in the first half. VJ Edgecombe was 2-of-9 from the field and had six points.

“That can’t happen,” Maxey said. “That’s on me. That absolutely can’t happen. That’s unacceptable by me. I was playing within the flow of the game and it kind of just happened that way.

” … We can’t win basketball games with that happening and I take full responsibility on that one.”

Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said the Celtics have to be prepared for Philadelphia’s best effort in Game 5.

“Regardless of who we’re playing against, we have to have an understanding that they are a really good team,” he said. “They can beat you on any given night. They’ve got great talent with the three stars that they have (Embiid, Maxey, and Paul George) and their role players when they are at their best … We’ve got to be disciplined on all the things that we can control – physical, mental, emotional, psychological, tactical, all of them.”

The winner of the Celtics/76ers series will meet either third-seeded New York or sixth-seeded Atlanta in the next round. That series is 2-2 headed back to New York for Game 5 Tuesday.

“We’ve got three chances to win one game,” Jaylen Brown said. “And the goal is just to get it done as soon as possible.”

–Field Level Media

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Letterboxd, the social platform for film buffs, reportedly looking for new owner | TechCrunch<div> <p id="speakable-summary" class="wp-block-paragraph">Letterboxd has surged in popularity in recent years. Once a <a href="https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2024-06-17/letterboxd-rise-connecting-filmmakers-studios-audiences" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">niche site</a> for only the most fervent of film nerds, the site — which allows users to rate, review, and recommend movies to one another — has continued to add accounts by the tens of millions, <a href="https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/films/features/letterboxd-app-movies-celebrities-users-b2775948.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">thanks largely to interest from millennials and Gen Z</a>. Now, the company’s controlling investor has apparently made it known that they are looking to cash out.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Semafor <a href="https://www.semafor.com/article/04/26/2026/whats-next-for-letterboxd" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">reported Sunday that</a> Canadian holding company Tiny, which owns some 60% of Letterboxd, has been courting various potential buyers, including Versant, the parent company of CNBC and MS NOW (formerly MSNBC). Another potential buyer is The Ankler, a popular Hollywood newsletter, according to Semafor. Tiny <a href="https://investors.tiny.com/news/news-details/2023/Tiny-Announces-Majority-Acquisition-of-Letterboxd-00ae38bed/default.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">bought the platform in 2023</a>, <a href="https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/letterboxd-acquired-50-million-deal-valuation-1235740185/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">valuing it at over $50 million</a>. It’s unclear whether the company has neared any sort of deal.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Representatives for Letterboxd and Tiny did not immediately provide comment when reached by TechCrunch.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Founded in 2011, Letterboxd saw a <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-08-31/strava-and-letterboxd-surge-as-users-crave-social-media-refuge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">jump in users</a> in the past few years, climbing to about 26 million users this year, up from 1.7 million in 2020, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/02/03/magazine/letterboxd-film-discussion-site-streaming-movies.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">according to The New York Times</a>. In recent years, the site has <a href="https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2024-06-17/letterboxd-rise-connecting-filmmakers-studios-audiences" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">seen interest</a> from movie studios, which see it both as a vehicle for marketing films and a source of information about moviegoer trends, as well as from the Oscars, which teamed up with the social platform <a href="https://press.oscars.org/news/academy-partners-letterboxd-create-exclusive-95th-oscarsr-content" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">in a digital content partnership</a> several years ago.</p> </div>#Letterboxd #social #platform #film #buffs #reportedly #owner #TechCrunchHollywood,In Brief,Letterboxd,media,movies

Tailgating will be allowed prior to World Cup games in Gillette Stadium, after all.

The Boston World Cup host committee said Monday that FIFA reversed its initial stance that no tailgating would be allowed at any of the 104 matches during the tournament, to be played in the U.S., Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.

Six group-stage matches will be played at the home of the NFL’s New England Patriots in Foxborough, south of Boston, plus a quarterfinal on July 9.

The committee said the shift conforms with local policies that allow tailgating “like any other event hosted at the stadium as there are no venue restrictions or local public safety restrictions in place that would prohibit it.”

Those events include games hosted by the Patriots and Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution, and concerts.

Space will be severely reduced from what is normally available. There are about 20,000 parking spots available for Patriots games, but there will be only around 5,000 for public use during the World Cup.

The Metro Boston Transit Authority has set train prices at $80 round trip from Boston to Foxborough for tournament games, four times what it charges for NFL and MLS games. There also is an express bus option that will depart from various Boston-area locations, which will cost $95 round trip.

Published on Apr 28, 2026

#FIFA #World #Cup #Boston #host #committee #tailgating #allowed #Foxborough #games">FIFA World Cup 2026 — Boston WC host committee says tailgating will be allowed for Foxborough games  Tailgating will be allowed prior to World Cup games in Gillette Stadium, after all.The Boston World Cup host committee said Monday that FIFA reversed its initial stance that no tailgating would be allowed at any of the 104 matches during the tournament, to be played in the U.S., Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.Six group-stage matches will be played at the home of the NFL’s New England Patriots in Foxborough, south of Boston, plus a quarterfinal on July 9.The committee said the shift conforms with local policies that allow tailgating “like any other event hosted at the stadium as there are no venue restrictions or local public safety restrictions in place that would prohibit it.”Those events include games hosted by the Patriots and Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution, and concerts.Space will be severely reduced from what is normally available. There are about 20,000 parking spots available for Patriots games, but there will be only around 5,000 for public use during the World Cup.The Metro Boston Transit Authority has set train prices at  round trip from Boston to Foxborough for tournament games, four times what it charges for NFL and MLS games. There also is an express bus option that will depart from various Boston-area locations, which will cost  round trip.Published on Apr 28, 2026  #FIFA #World #Cup #Boston #host #committee #tailgating #allowed #Foxborough #games

Deadspin | Craig Breslow declares ‘fresh start’ for Red Sox after firing Alex Cora  Mar 28, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA;  MLB umpire CB Bucknor (54) ejects Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora (13) during the game against the Cincinnati Reds in the eighth inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images   Sitting in front of a Baltimore Orioles-themed backdrop, Boston Red Sox CEO Sam Kennedy and head of baseball operations Craig Breslow explained on Sunday morning why manager Alex Cora and several members of his staff were fired Saturday.  “It really comes down to the belief that we have in the players,” Breslow said. “And the belief that we have in the group to accomplish what we set out to accomplish. By acting today, it gives us 135 games ahead of us.  “We’ve got almost a full season’s worth of run to take advantage of this fresh start and ultimately to compete for a division and a deep postseason run in the way that we talked about it and envisioned and believed heading into spring training.”  The Red Sox have not enjoyed a deep postseason run since 2021, when they lost the ALCS to the Houston Astros in six games. They won their last World Series in 2018, which doubled as Cora’s first year as manager.  Cora finished his tenure with a 620-541 record (.534) in seven-plus seasons. Breslow, with the support of Kennedy and owner John Henry, decided Saturday morning to fire Cora along with hitting coach Peter Fatse, assistant hitting coach Dillon Lawson, major league hitting strategy coach Joe Cronin, bench coach Ramon Vazquez and third-base coach Kyle Hudson. Game planning and run prevention coach Jason Varitek will be reassigned within the organization.  “Ultimately, responsibility for the performance on the field, it falls on me as the leader of the baseball operation,” Breslow said. “But so, too, does the responsibility for doing everything that I can – and everything that the organization can – to find solutions. And right now, we feel like this change, these changes, were warranted. And we’re really excited about the chance for Chad (Tracy) to come in and be a consistent, stabilizing voice – and one that the majority of our player group is familiar with.”  “Craig leads our baseball operation and he has made several bold decisions and recommendations,” Kennedy said. “This was one of them and we fully support it. That’s why we took the action that we took yesterday.”   Tracy, who has served as manager for the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox since the start of the 2022 season, has been promoted to interim manager. He inherits a squad that ranks tied for 20th in runs per game (4.15), tied for last in home runs (18), tied for 27th in OPS (.665), 20th in ERA (4.43) and 26th in defensive efficiency.  Most important, the Red Sox enter Sunday’s game against the Orioles with a 10-17 record. That brings up the rear in the AL East – eight games behind the division-leading New York Yankees – and tied for the fourth-worst record in MLB.  Pitching coach Andrew Bailey was among the handful who were retained, though the top of the Red Sox rotation has underperformed. Garrett Crochet owns a 3-3 record and a 6.30 ERA. Ranger Suarez, who signed a five-year, 0 million free-agent deal in the offseason, sits at 1-2 with a 4.00 ERA.  “It is true that we have fallen short in terms of the performance across, you know, hitting, pitching, defense, baserunning,” Breslow said. “But as it relates to the staff and trying to tease out exactly what’s driving that, I have confidence in the pitching group’s ability to turn that around. I think we’ve seen evidence of that with Ranger (Suarez) and with Garrett (Crochet). Have the full confidence in that group to be able to get us on track.”  “Ultimately what matters is the performance on the field at the major league level,” Kennedy said. “And a new beginning starts today.”  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Craig #Breslow #declares #fresh #start #Red #Sox #firing #Alex #CoraMar 28, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; MLB umpire CB Bucknor (54) ejects Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora (13) during the game against the Cincinnati Reds in the eighth inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

Sitting in front of a Baltimore Orioles-themed backdrop, Boston Red Sox CEO Sam Kennedy and head of baseball operations Craig Breslow explained on Sunday morning why manager Alex Cora and several members of his staff were fired Saturday.

“It really comes down to the belief that we have in the players,” Breslow said. “And the belief that we have in the group to accomplish what we set out to accomplish. By acting today, it gives us 135 games ahead of us.

“We’ve got almost a full season’s worth of run to take advantage of this fresh start and ultimately to compete for a division and a deep postseason run in the way that we talked about it and envisioned and believed heading into spring training.”

The Red Sox have not enjoyed a deep postseason run since 2021, when they lost the ALCS to the Houston Astros in six games. They won their last World Series in 2018, which doubled as Cora’s first year as manager.

Cora finished his tenure with a 620-541 record (.534) in seven-plus seasons. Breslow, with the support of Kennedy and owner John Henry, decided Saturday morning to fire Cora along with hitting coach Peter Fatse, assistant hitting coach Dillon Lawson, major league hitting strategy coach Joe Cronin, bench coach Ramon Vazquez and third-base coach Kyle Hudson. Game planning and run prevention coach Jason Varitek will be reassigned within the organization.

“Ultimately, responsibility for the performance on the field, it falls on me as the leader of the baseball operation,” Breslow said. “But so, too, does the responsibility for doing everything that I can – and everything that the organization can – to find solutions. And right now, we feel like this change, these changes, were warranted. And we’re really excited about the chance for Chad (Tracy) to come in and be a consistent, stabilizing voice – and one that the majority of our player group is familiar with.”


“Craig leads our baseball operation and he has made several bold decisions and recommendations,” Kennedy said. “This was one of them and we fully support it. That’s why we took the action that we took yesterday.”

Tracy, who has served as manager for the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox since the start of the 2022 season, has been promoted to interim manager. He inherits a squad that ranks tied for 20th in runs per game (4.15), tied for last in home runs (18), tied for 27th in OPS (.665), 20th in ERA (4.43) and 26th in defensive efficiency.

Most important, the Red Sox enter Sunday’s game against the Orioles with a 10-17 record. That brings up the rear in the AL East – eight games behind the division-leading New York Yankees – and tied for the fourth-worst record in MLB.

Pitching coach Andrew Bailey was among the handful who were retained, though the top of the Red Sox rotation has underperformed. Garrett Crochet owns a 3-3 record and a 6.30 ERA. Ranger Suarez, who signed a five-year, $140 million free-agent deal in the offseason, sits at 1-2 with a 4.00 ERA.

“It is true that we have fallen short in terms of the performance across, you know, hitting, pitching, defense, baserunning,” Breslow said. “But as it relates to the staff and trying to tease out exactly what’s driving that, I have confidence in the pitching group’s ability to turn that around. I think we’ve seen evidence of that with Ranger (Suarez) and with Garrett (Crochet). Have the full confidence in that group to be able to get us on track.”

“Ultimately what matters is the performance on the field at the major league level,” Kennedy said. “And a new beginning starts today.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Craig #Breslow #declares #fresh #start #Red #Sox #firing #Alex #Cora">Deadspin | Craig Breslow declares ‘fresh start’ for Red Sox after firing Alex Cora  Mar 28, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA;  MLB umpire CB Bucknor (54) ejects Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora (13) during the game against the Cincinnati Reds in the eighth inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images   Sitting in front of a Baltimore Orioles-themed backdrop, Boston Red Sox CEO Sam Kennedy and head of baseball operations Craig Breslow explained on Sunday morning why manager Alex Cora and several members of his staff were fired Saturday.  “It really comes down to the belief that we have in the players,” Breslow said. “And the belief that we have in the group to accomplish what we set out to accomplish. By acting today, it gives us 135 games ahead of us.  “We’ve got almost a full season’s worth of run to take advantage of this fresh start and ultimately to compete for a division and a deep postseason run in the way that we talked about it and envisioned and believed heading into spring training.”  The Red Sox have not enjoyed a deep postseason run since 2021, when they lost the ALCS to the Houston Astros in six games. They won their last World Series in 2018, which doubled as Cora’s first year as manager.  Cora finished his tenure with a 620-541 record (.534) in seven-plus seasons. Breslow, with the support of Kennedy and owner John Henry, decided Saturday morning to fire Cora along with hitting coach Peter Fatse, assistant hitting coach Dillon Lawson, major league hitting strategy coach Joe Cronin, bench coach Ramon Vazquez and third-base coach Kyle Hudson. Game planning and run prevention coach Jason Varitek will be reassigned within the organization.  “Ultimately, responsibility for the performance on the field, it falls on me as the leader of the baseball operation,” Breslow said. “But so, too, does the responsibility for doing everything that I can – and everything that the organization can – to find solutions. And right now, we feel like this change, these changes, were warranted. And we’re really excited about the chance for Chad (Tracy) to come in and be a consistent, stabilizing voice – and one that the majority of our player group is familiar with.”  “Craig leads our baseball operation and he has made several bold decisions and recommendations,” Kennedy said. “This was one of them and we fully support it. That’s why we took the action that we took yesterday.”   Tracy, who has served as manager for the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox since the start of the 2022 season, has been promoted to interim manager. He inherits a squad that ranks tied for 20th in runs per game (4.15), tied for last in home runs (18), tied for 27th in OPS (.665), 20th in ERA (4.43) and 26th in defensive efficiency.  Most important, the Red Sox enter Sunday’s game against the Orioles with a 10-17 record. That brings up the rear in the AL East – eight games behind the division-leading New York Yankees – and tied for the fourth-worst record in MLB.  Pitching coach Andrew Bailey was among the handful who were retained, though the top of the Red Sox rotation has underperformed. Garrett Crochet owns a 3-3 record and a 6.30 ERA. Ranger Suarez, who signed a five-year, 0 million free-agent deal in the offseason, sits at 1-2 with a 4.00 ERA.  “It is true that we have fallen short in terms of the performance across, you know, hitting, pitching, defense, baserunning,” Breslow said. “But as it relates to the staff and trying to tease out exactly what’s driving that, I have confidence in the pitching group’s ability to turn that around. I think we’ve seen evidence of that with Ranger (Suarez) and with Garrett (Crochet). Have the full confidence in that group to be able to get us on track.”  “Ultimately what matters is the performance on the field at the major league level,” Kennedy said. “And a new beginning starts today.”  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Craig #Breslow #declares #fresh #start #Red #Sox #firing #Alex #Cora

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