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Red Sox: Predicting Boston’s 2022 Opening Day staring lineup

By Brendan Mizgala

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 11: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates after winning game four of the 2021 American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays to clinch the series at Fenway Park on October 11, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 11: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates after winning game four of the 2021 American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays to clinch the series at Fenway Park on October 11, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /
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Red Sox catcher Christian Vázquez
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 10: Christian Vazquez #7 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates his game winning two-run homerun in the 13th inning against the Tampa Bay Rays during Game 3 of the American League Division Series at Fenway Park on October 10, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. /

Red Sox C: Christian Vázquez

Once again the king of the walk-offs will be calling the game behind home plate for Boston. Christian Vázquez has played his entire career with the Red Sox and he’ll be entering the final year of his current contract. I expect him to do everything he can to be more of the guy we saw back in 2019 when he posted career-high numbers all over the place.

I wasn’t surprised to see the Red Sox exercised his club-option for 2022 and with Connor Wong and Ronaldo Hernández in the minors ready to go, Vázquez could play a mentor role for the club. I’m not sure if he’ll see a new deal when he hits free agency next winter as he”ll be turning 32 later this season, but anything is possible thanks to his management of this pitching staff.

Vázqy played a big role in Boston’s Postseason surge as he delivered a walk-off to give them the 2-1 series lead in the ALDS and he would’ve been the walk-off run in Game 4 had he not been removed for a pinch-runner.

He has been the foundation of this pitching staff and commands the best from his charges. He’s also exceeded the league’s numbers in regards to catching runners on the base paths and has a career 36% CS% compared to the league’s 26%.

I love me some Christian Vázquez and I wouldn’t hate to see him play his career out with the Red Sox. He’s been a fantastic backstop for a franchise that has a history of quality catchers. I will say it’s impressive that somehow this team continues to find catchers that all carry their weight and come through when they’re needed. In his final year, I expect him to put on some fireworks.

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