After weeks of anticipation, Opening Day has finally arrived for the Boston Red Sox. Although the offseason was quiet for the Sox, this season is expected to be nothing short of exciting.
The team has a new edge thanks to the additions of slugger J.D. Martinez and first-time manager Alex Cora. That combined with the team’s strong young core of Mookie Betts, Andrew Benintendi, Xander Bogaerts, and Jackie Bradley Jr. will make the Sox a force to be reckoned with as they begin this season.
The Sox will kick things off against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Stadium on Thursday at 4 p.m.
Projected starting lineup
Mookie Betts RF
Andrew Benintendi LF
Hanley Ramirez 1B
J.D. Martinez DH
Xander Bogaerts SS
Rafael Devers 3B or Eduardo Nunez 2B
Eduardo Nunez 2B or Rafael Devers 3B
Jackie Bradley Jr. CF
Christian Vazquez C
Chris Sale SP
Injury update
- Chris Sale will start on the mound for the Sox, despite getting drilled in the hip by a line drive just last week. This will be Sale’s first Opening Day start with the Red Sox.
- Rafael Devers will also take the field despite suffering a minor knee injury in a collision with Cubs catcher Victor Caratini earlier this week.
- Drew Pomeranz will likely miss one to two weeks of the regular season due recovery from a mild flexor strain in his left elbow.
- Eduardo Rodriguez is not injured, but will start the season on the disabled list while he recovers from knee surgery he underwent after last season.
