The Red Sox are learning that hope doesn’t always survive contact with reality, and Alex Cora knows it better than most. For all the glossy contracts and grand promises, Boston’s manager is now left juggling damage control with a touch of resignation. The rotation gamble that once glittered has soured quickly, and the franchise’s patience is thinning faster than Fenway’s beer lines during a late-August collapse.

The Boston Red Sox are in a good position in the Wild Card race, just behind the Yankees, but the problem is that the teams behind them are not too far behind. With the Royals and the Guardians just a few games behind, it is very important for all the Red Sox players to bring their A-game. And with the season Walker Buehler has had, things were not looking good, and the Red Sox look to be making a very important decision about Buehler’s role in the team.

In a recent post by the Red Sox beat writer, Chris Cotillo, he revealed the info about Walker Buehler’s move to the bullpen. He said, “Per sources, the Red Sox are discussing moving Walker Buehler to the bullpen. Notably, Alex Cora wouldn’t guarantee he’d make his next scheduled start Monday.“

Walker Buehler has marred his 2025 season with Boston with alarming numbers, reminding fans of previous woes. His 5.40 ERA over twenty-two starts ranks among baseball’s worst for pitchers exceeding one hundred innings. Frequent control issues—such as issuing at least three walks in four of his last five outings—have deepened alarm. As the Sox fight for postseason relevance, these uneven performances are destabilizing a rotation already lacking dependable depth.

Consequently, manager Alex Cora appears to be losing faith in Buehler’s ability to contribute meaningfully in the rotation’s crucial second half. Discussions about shifting him to the bullpen are increasingly serious, with potential replacements like Kyle Harrison or Cooper Criswell being considered. Cora’s measured statements—“We’ll talk about it,” and “he’ll be ready for the next one”—veiled underlying concern about Buehler’s consistency. The Red Sox front office understands that bold, proactive moves may be necessary to keep their postseason ambitions alive.

Transitioning Buehler to relief work could be a pragmatic step benefiting both team and player as the playoff chase intensifies. With Boston sitting precariously just below .500 and amid a volatile wild-card race, dependable outings from every arm are critical. A bullpen role might also provide Buehler reprieve from rotation pressure, offering a healthier path to regaining confidence and form. Ultimately, this difficult but necessary pivot may revive his value and fortify Boston’s postseason push.

The Red Sox can no longer afford nostalgia when the standings demand urgency, and Alex Cora knows sentiment doesn’t win October games. Walker Buehler’s struggles have forced Boston into a reality check sharper than any Fenway heckler’s tongue. If the bullpen move works, it could salvage both his season and the Red Sox’s playoff chase. If not, $21 million will have bought nothing more than a very expensive reminder of misplaced faith.

The Boston Red Sox are ready to make another move to make a hard postseason push

October dreams demand more than talent—they demand desperation dressed as strategy. The Boston Red Sox, never shy of a dramatic twist, may be turning to a move that feels equal parts bold and bizarre. With whispers of Walker Buehler potentially shifting to the bullpen, Boston signals it will do whatever it takes—even if it means rewriting roles—to fuel a postseason charge that feels increasingly fragile.

The Boston Red Sox find themselves playoff-bound, but their bullpen has recently started springing troubling leaks. Steven Matz arrived at the trade deadline, yet his addition has barely steadied the ship. When late-game situations arise, Alex Cora’s options suddenly look more like gambles than guarantees. A championship contender can’t afford relievers who collapse under pressure when October’s spotlight burns hottest.

That’s why attention has shifted toward a familiar face: former Boston closer Kenley Jansen. He left for the Angels this season, but his numbers remain undeniably strong and consistent. With a 2.74 ERA and 23 saves, he represents reliability where Boston currently flails. Pairing him with Aroldis Chapman may seem risky, but together they could form October’s fiercest duo.

Jansen wouldn’t replace Chapman but would finally give Boston another trustworthy late-game weapon when necessary. He would essentially fill the void left by Liam Hendricks’ injury, a loss that’s lingered painfully. More importantly, he’d let Cora rest Chapman without sacrificing control of crucial, high-leverage innings. For a Red Sox team fighting fragile margins, Jansen could transform a glaring weakness into postseason resilience.

The Red Sox can juggle Buehler’s bullpen experiment and Chapman’s renaissance, but stability demands more. Kenley Jansen, with his track record and calm, could anchor chaos when it counts. Boston has flirted with patchwork solutions, yet October doesn’t reward duct tape over structural flaws. If the Sox truly want champagne showers, they’ll need Jansen’s arm, not just Cora’s optimism. After all, hope doesn’t close games—pitchers like Jansen and Chapman do.