Opening Day 2025 is just days away, and the excitement is palpable all around MLB. But before the Boston Red Sox open their season in Arlington, Texas, against the Rangers, they'll make a detour in Monterrey, Mexico.
The Red Sox will play a two-game exhibition series against the Sultanes de Monterrey on March 24-25. MLB has hosted a preseason series in Mexico City in the past two years but opted for two games in Monterrey against a Mexican League team this go-round.
The Sultanes field a team in both the Mexican League (LMB) and the Mexican Pacific League (LMP). Their home ballpark is Estadio Mobil Super, where MLB has held five regular season games since 1991.
The Red Sox will travel with a team close to their Opening Day squad, but with a few notable additions and omissions. Boston has already announced that Rafael Devers and Trevor Story will not make the trip to Mexico for the exhibition games. Manager Alex Cora has also announced that not everyone who travels with the club will be part of the Opening Day squad — the fans in attendance in Monterrey could get an early look at the Sox's top prospects who could begin the season in the minor leagues, although the roster still has not been confirmed.
How to watch and listen to the Red Sox play Sultanes de Monterrey
THROWBACK: Fernando Valenzuela started the first-ever regular-season MLB game played outside the US or Canada. He got this ovation & the win in his home country. 🇲🇽
— MLB (@MLB) March 20, 2025
MLB returns to Monterrey on Monday and Tuesday with the Red Sox playing two games against Sultanes de Monterrey of… pic.twitter.com/VLwBEtx4cf
Christopher Smith of MassLive on March 21 reported that Richard Fitts will be the starter for the first game of the exhibition series. The Red Sox have three starting pitchers who will begin the season on the injured list (Brayan Bello, Kutter Crawford, Lucas Giolito,) and Fitts is a contender to take up a spot in the rotation in their absences.
Sox fans can watch the action south of the border on NESN, or tune in on the radio with WEEI, according to MLB.com. Viewers out of the NESN market and in Mexico can tune in on ESPN and Disney+.