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Red Sox vs. Pirates: Chris Sale Day plus lineups and notes

By Daniel Cassese

Apr 3, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale (41) jokes with teammates during player introductions before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale (41) jokes with teammates during player introductions before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Boston Red Sox had a day off to soak in their season-opening win but are back to work as they take on the Pittsburgh Pirates tonight.

The Red Sox’ season opener could not have gone any better. Slick Rick Porcello absolutely dealt over 6 shutout innings, before running out of gas and giving up three runs in the 7th. Andrew Benintendi backed his claim to the Rookie of the Year Award on day one, hitting a three-run bomb to right field. And eight of the nine guys in the lineup collected a hit en route to the Sox’ 5-3 win.

Today, though, there is one thing on the minds of Red Sox fans – Christopher Allen Sale. The dominant lefty is arguably the best pitcher the Red Sox have had since Pedro Martinez and is making his official debut tonight. With a career 3.00 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 10.1 K/9 (4.78 K/BB) the level of excitement is legitimate. Happy Chris Sale Day.

Boston Red Sox: Starting Pitcher – Chris Sale

  1. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
  2. Andrew Benintendi, LF
  3. Xander Bogaerts, SS
  4. Hanley Ramirez, DH
  5. Mitch Moreland, 1B
  6. Chris Young, RF
  7. Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
  8. Pablo Sandoval, 3B
  9. Sandy Leon, C

After batting sixth in the opener, Xander moves back to a spot he’s more familiar with in the three-hole. 105 of his 157 games were spent hitting from that position last season and there’s no doubt that he belongs in the spot after collecting 192 and 196 in 2016 and 2015 respectively. The only problem, is that his move up comes as a result of Mookie Betts being withheld from the lineup – for sickness, though and not a major injury.

Speaking of Mookie, I interviewed him ahead of the announcement that he’ll be joining the sports drink brand BodyArmor, which you can read here. He gives some great insight into the pressure surrounding the club and what’s made him so successful at the big league level.

Other than Mookie coming out and Chris Young filling for him in right field, all else remains normal. The lineup will try to match Monday’s performance while Chris Sale will look to start his Red Sox on the right track. I don’t have any doubt that we’ll see him pitch just as well, if not better, than he did with the White Sox.

Next: Chris Sale making his Red Sox debut

As always, the game will be available on NESN, MLB TV and WEEI, go Sox!

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