Is the World Baseball Classic to blame for the Boston Red Sox's sluggish start to the 2026 season? It's a question that's been on the minds of fans and analysts alike, especially after the team's dominant performance in the tournament just two months ago.

Back in March, Red Sox stars like Roman Anthony, Wilyer Abreu, and Jarren Duran were setting the WBC on fire, making Boston look like a potential powerhouse. But when the regular season began, many of those same players hit a wall. A quarter of the way through the campaign, the Red Sox are stuck at 18-25, languishing near the bottom of the AL East standings.

The team's strong WBC showing simply hasn't translated to the regular season—and they're not alone. According to The Athletic, Boston was one of seven teams that sent at least 14 players to the tournament. Of those seven, six had winning records last year. Yet as of Friday, only two of them are above .500, including just one team (the Milwaukee Brewers) that finished over .500 in 2025.

That trend shouldn't come as a surprise. The WBC is a major disruption to spring training routines, player preparation schedules, and team chemistry. For many clubs, including the Red Sox, it meant a rushed start to the season without the usual time to build momentum.

Of course, the WBC isn't the only reason for Boston's struggles. But it certainly hasn't helped. As the Red Sox continue their baffling slide—including a tough homestand at Fenway Park—fans are left wondering if the early WBC success was a blessing in disguise or a curse that set the tone for a challenging season.