Looking Ahead: Red Sox Open 2013 Season in the Bronx
By now all Sox fans have come to grips with the depressing fact that when the regular season schedule ends, it will be the third straight year with no October baseball in Boston. And so begins the process of speculating on what off season moves should be made, dissecting the mediocre performances by so many players this year and looking ahead to what the 2013 might entail.
The long standing joke that the NY on the front of the Yankees ball caps stands for “next year.” While most Red Sox fans might smirk at this subtle jab, the fact of the matter remains that for Red Sox Nation, it is next year territory for this club and it’s loyal fan base. Which is why it’s always fun to examine the 2013 schedule that was finalized by MLB and according to the Boston Globe, the Sox will face the LA Dodgers and their former allies in Beckett, Gonzalez and Crawford.
– April 2-4: Season Opener in New York
There is talk that the league could move the series opener back to Sunday, March 31 to capitalize on a Sunday Night Baseball opportunity. If the Yankees should win the World Series you can bet this will happen meaning we will be forced to sit and endure another championship banner celebration for the Yankees.
After New York, the Red Sox will travel to Toronto for a three-game set against the Blue Jays, making it the second straight year that Boston’s second series will be north of the border.
– April 8: Home opener against the Baltimore Orioles
With an off-day scheduled for Thursday, April 11, the Sox might move that up to Tuesday in the even rain threatens their home opener. A little flexibility in April is always a good thing when relying on the weather on the East coast.
The Tampa Bay Rays will follow the Orioles as visitors in Fenway Park in a four game series that will include the annual Patriot’s Day game on Monday, April 15. The Royals will then come to town to conclude the home stand.
– July 19-21: First Fenway visit by the Yankees
The Fenway Faithful won’t get their first look at the Yankees until after the all-star break when it’s mid July before the Evil Empire invades Boston.
– Interleague Play:
This year the Sox will get a look at some of the NL West teams as they’ll host the Colorado Rockies (June 25-26), , San Diego (July 2-4) and Arizona, dates to be finalized.
They will visit San Francisco from Aug. 19-21, the Dodgers from Aug. 23-25 and Colorado in their final road trip of the season.
Sox fans will finally get to see Jonathan Papelbon return to Fenway when the Phillies come to town on May27 & 28. That should be fun.
The Houston Astros, who are set to join the American League will visit Boston from April 25-28. Given the balance of 15 teams per league, there will be interleague play everyday during the 2013 season.
One odd stat is that the Sox will play 17 of their first 27 games at home in the month of April, making it odd because the Sox asked to possibly move more of their April games to the road to avoid the cold and unpredictable spring weather.
Finally, the Red Sox will wrap up the season with a series in Baltimore against the Orioles from September 27-29.
You can view the Sox complete 2013 schedule in The Hub section of the homepage.