“Opening Day is like Christmas, except it’s warmer.” – Pete Rose
We got our first taste of real baseball with MLB’s Opening Day yesterday, but today’s the real deal for us. This is what we have waited 175 days for. What we sat through the dark days of winter for. What we endured a month and a half of Spring Training for. What we can’t wait anymore for.
Red Sox: Starting Pitcher – Rick Porcello
- Dustin Pedroia, 2B
- Andrew Benintendi, LF
- Mookie Betts, RF
- Hanley Ramirez, DH
- Mitch Moreland, 1B
- Xander Bogaerts, SS
- Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
- Pablo Sandoval, 3B
- Sandy Leon, C
Rick Porcello went 13-1 with a 2.97 ERA at Fenway last season. For the first time in his career, he gets the ball on Opening Day as he sets out to defend his 2016 Cy Young Award. With so much focus on the health of Red Sox pitchers, nothing would be better than to see him go out and pick up where he left off. The club will need him and fellow ace Chris Sale to carry the pitching staff until it’s back to 100%.
Xander batting 6th is slightly surprising for those of us that watched what he was able to do last season but shouldn’t be too alarming. He’s occupied this spot in the lineup since returning to camp from the World Baseball Classic and it fits with the Red Sox’ general strategy that prioritizes left-righty balance. With Benintendi batting second and Moreland hitting fifth, John Farrell breaks up what would be a string of five straight right-handed hitters at the top of the order. Bogaerts’ fantasy owners might not love the move but it adds length to the lineup and will challenge opposing managers looking for favorable bullpen matchups.
Next: Red Sox vs Pirates series preview
There isn’t much more to say other than that we’re all excited to see what this season brings. As expected, game 1 of 162 can be watched on NESN, MLB TV, or listened to on WEEI. First pitch is at 2:05, go Sox!