Nothing like Opening Day at Fenway Park
For the first time since, possibly, the 2022 home opener the Red Sox are starting the season with excitement. Three years ago they were coming off an ALCS appearance and finished just shy of the World Series. It looked like Chaim Bloom had pulled off a near 2013 style rebuild mixing and matching small deals. And then the wheels fell off, the house of cards collapsed, checkmate. Last place followed by last place followed by a good few months in 2024 before a collapse.
But this winter things seemed different. It felt like they might really be in on Juan Soto – if not the favorite because Steve Cohen had all but said he’d move heaven and earth. They added Garret Crochet and today’s starting pitcher Walker Buehler. They added Alex Bregman. Spring Training started with real shots for Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell, or Marcelo Mayer to break camp with the big league team.
Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Rumors about current St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado abounded. He’d be a bad contact swap for Masataka Yoshida. Or the rumor they’d have to send Tristan Casas just to unload Yoshida and take on the bad Arenado deal. But Arenado remains disgruntled in St. Louis while the Sox signed the top third baseman available despite how it might shock their face of the franchise Rafael Devers.
There was talk about trading Wilyer Abreu to clear an outfielder spot. There’s some chaos theory at work here but imagine no Abreu these first seven games. I don’t want to either.
In Buehler, the Sox have a big name looking to show he’s still got it after a lost season. In Fitts, they have, amazingly, a very solid return on the Alex Verdugo trade. In Newcomb they have a local guy pitching for his home town team until the other rotation members are back from the IL. Is his track record scary? It sure is. Can he be serviceable for a few turns? Well, Andrew Bailey thinks so (and there’s really not much of a choice, maybe Quinn Priester?)
It’s Opening Day and the Boston Red Sox at 3-4. If they win today who knows if they fall under .500 again this season.
After a few very slow games Devers, Casas, and Story have started to wake up at the plate.
Kristian Campbell looks ready to thrive.
Welcome to Opening Day.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Friday April 4: Erick Fedde (1.50 ERA / 2.16. FIP) vs. Walker Buehler (8.31 ERA / 5.14 FIP)
Saturday April 5: Andre Pallante (3.60 ERA / 5.43 FIP) vs. Richard Fitts (4.50 ERA / 5.83 FIP)
Sunday April 6: Miles Mikolas (3.38 ERA / 2.83 FIP) vs. Sean Newcomb (9.00 ERA / 2.33 FIP)
When/Where to Watch
Friday April 4: 2:10 PM ET on NESN
Saturday April 5: 4:10 PM ET on NESN
Sunday April 6: 7:10 PM ET on ESPN