MLB check-in: Red Sox in turmoil, Braves' hot start, Pirates' big week

The MLB season heads into May with emerging trends and new storylines. Here are five things to watch this week.

Change angers Red Sox's clubhouse

The Boston Red Sox are 1-0 without Alex Cora, a promising start to their new chapter.

Yet, the Red Sox clubhouse simmers with frustration over Cora’s abrupt ouster, which followed a 17-1 blowout win over the Orioles. Five coaches were swept out as well, making way for Chad Tracy, freshly elevated from Triple-A Worcester, to step in as interim manager.

Boasting a managerial pedigree, Tracy follows in the footsteps of his father Jim, who managed in the major leagues for 11 seasons between 2001 and 2012 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates and Colorado Rockies.

Sunday saw the Red Sox defeat the Orioles, 5-3, as Tracy made his managerial debut. Perhaps winning will diffuse the lingering anger, especially since president of baseball operations Craig Breslow would not address players' questions about Cora's departure before the game.

Despite back-to-back victories, the Red Sox remain in last place in the American League East with an 11-17 record, trailing the division-leading New York Yankees by seven games.

After an emotional weekend, the Red Sox open the week with a three-game series at the Toronto Blue Jays, beginning Monday night. Then, on Friday night, Tracy will make his Fenway Park debut during the opener of a three-game series against the visiting Houston Astros.

Braves hit their way to the top

Making quite a turnaround, the Atlanta Braves are surging in 2026.

They have the best record in the major leagues with a 20-9 mark in Walt Weiss’ first season as manager. He was promoted from bench coach to replace Brian Snitker, who retired last year after the Braves finished 76-86.

Remarkably, the Braves are achieving early-season success despite five starting pitchers being on the injured list—left-hander Joey Wentz and right-handers Spencer Schwellenbach, AJ Smith-Shawver, Spencer Strider and Hurston Waldrep. Offensively, they are compensating by leading the majors in scoring with 5.72 runs per game, thanks in part to first baseman Matt Olson’s .296/.374/.609 slash line and eight home runs.

The Braves have built a 6.5-game lead in the National League East over the Miami Marlins and host the AL Central-leading Detroit Tigers for three games starting Tuesday night. The Braves then play a weekend series against the Rockies in Denver.

Big week for Buccos

All five teams in the National League Central currently own winning records—including the Pirates, who have not finished above .500 since 2017.

By the week's end, the Pirates (16-12) should better gauge their standing in the NL Central as they face division rivals in a seven-game homestand. The St. Louis Cardinals (14-13) start things off Monday night with four games in Pittsburgh, followed by a visit from the first-place Cincinnati Reds (18-10) for three games at PNC Park.

Aaron Judge better, not older

Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge is defying age—homering for the 10th time this season on his 34th birthday Sunday in Houston. That’s 219 home runs since turning 30.

The Yankees visit the Texas Rangers for a three-game series that opens Monday night. The Orioles visit the Bronx for three games starting Friday night.

Back at the Wheeler

Philadelphia Phillies ace Zack Wheeler is set for his second start of the season as he takes the mound in Miami on Friday night.

After beginning the season on the IL to recover from thoracic outlet surgery, Wheeler made his season debut Saturday, holding the Braves to two runs over five innings without factoring in the decision.