Mar 26, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Caleb Durbin (5) throws to first to get Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart (not pictured) out in the fourth inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Red Sox's Biggest Surprise From Disastrous 1-5 Start

Originally posted on Boston Red Sox on SI
By Patrick McAvoy | Last updated Apr 1, 2026 10:43 PM ET

The 2026 Major League Baseball season is just about one week old and it has been brutal for the Boston Red Sox.

Boston kicked off the 2026 season on a high note with a 3-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds on March 26 with Garrett Crochet on the mound. Since then, the Red Sox have not been able to get into the win column again. Boston lost the final two games of the three-game set against Cincinnati and then got swept by the Houston Astros in a three-game series on the road.

A disastrous start to the season, to say the least.

The 1-5 start is surprising in itself. Of all of the surprises so far this season, the biggest one has been the play of young third baseman Caleb Durbin. Boston acquired Durbin from the Milwaukee Brewers this past offseason to come in and replace Alex Bregman at third base. This is a guy who finished third in the National League Rookie of the Year Award race in 2025 with Milwaukee. The vibes were high around him in Spring Training as well. Durbin was electric and slashed .354/.446/.500 with a .946 OPS. Durbin logged five doubles, one triple, nine RBIs and six walks in 18 games played.

The Red Sox infielder has had a tough start to the season

Things have been anything but smooth during the regular season, though. Durbin has played in five games for Boston, including Wednesday's loss against the Astros, and is 0-for-18 with just one walk.

In comparison, this is a guy who slashed .256/.334/.387 with 11 homers, 53 RBIs, 18 stolen bases, 25 doubles, 60 runs scored and a .721 OPS as a rookie with the Brewers across 136 games played.

At the end of the day, we're talking about a five-game sample size. There are times over the course of a 162-game season in which guys go hitless. The fact that it's right at the beginning of the season puts a bigger spotlight on Durbin right now, but there's no reason to give up on him yet.

Durbin showed enough in Spring Training to be excited about what he can do in 2026, but this is also a big example of why Spring Training stats don't mean a lot in the grand scheme of things. The numbers go back down to zero to kick off each season. Unfortunately, Durbin isn't red-hot like he was in camp. Going 0-for-18 is tough. Fortunately, he'll have a day off on Thursday to get right ahead of the home opener on Friday.

This article first appeared on Boston Red Sox on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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