The Boston Red Sox showed out in an unexpected way to open the 2024 MLB season. Some former players of theirs also got off to a hot start in their new uniforms.
The Red Sox will see former right fielder Alex Verdugo in Yankee pinstripes multiple times this season. After he attempted some questionable diving catches in the outfield, Dugie gave his new team a reason to have confidence in him.
With runners on the corners and the series sweep on the line, Kyle Tucker hit a fly ball in Verdugo's direction in left field. As the ball was falling toward the grass, Verdugo slid underneath it and made the catch to spoil the Astros' shot at a comeback.
Verdugo's plate presence has yet to make an impact for the Yankees (though he did hit a game-winning sac fly Thursday), but he seems to be having the time of his life playing in New York's outfield alongside Aaron Judge and Juan Soto. The three have each put their own stamp on the Yankees' undefeated record.
Former Red Sox Alex Verdugo and Chris Sale are already standing out on their new teams
"As a whole, it was a good game."
— NESN (@NESN) March 31, 2024
Chris Sale made his Braves debut and showed promising signs to kick off 2024. https://t.co/JfDzRjO1dt
Another former Sox also had a standout weekend with his new club. Chris Sale has thrown impressive outings all spring training for Atlanta and he carried his success into the beginning of the season.
Sale's Braves debut came against their National League East rival Phillies. He stumbled out of the gate when Kyle Schwarber crushed a home run on the second pitch he saw from Sale, but the lefty recovered nicely and finished the game with two earned runs, two walks and seven strikeouts after 5.1 innings pitched. The second earned run against Sale also came from Schwarber, his former short-term Red Sox teammate.
Verdugo, Sale and the Red Sox have been enjoying their squads' successes early in the season. Boston will face the Yankees on four separate occasions this season, as usual, with the first of their matchups coming in June. The Sox will play two games in Atlanta in May.
Hopefully, everyone's momentum continues well into the 2024 campaign and the Sox and their former players can face each other at their best.