|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 30, 2021 7:20:09 GMT -5
2021 Opening Week-end Orioles @ Red Sox 1rst April 2021 2pm @ Fenway Park
John Means Takes the ball for the opener for the 2nd straight season, though he was scratched last season due to arm fatigue. Was the runner up for the 2019 Rookie of the Year.
Nathan Eovaldi For the 2nd straight season will step in for E-rod and take the ball for the Red Sox Opener. The opponent and venue are the same as last year when Eovaldi fired six strong innings allowing one run. Lifetime vs the Orioles, Eovaldi is 6-1/ 4.15.
With Alex Cora back, Red Sox hope for strong start vs. Orioles
The world is a different place since Alex Cora last managed a regular-season game for the Boston Red Sox. And yet the franchise will be looking for more change as it kicks off its 2021 campaign by hosting the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday afternoon.
Cora, brought back over the offseason after being dismissed and subsequently suspended last year for his role in the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal, retakes control of a Red Sox team that finished in the cellar of the American League East at 24-36 last season. Improvement isn't a stretch, but returning the club to its status as an expected winner could be a tall task for the 45-year-old skipper in his second stint.
"Definitely we'll be better than last year," Cora said. "No doubt about it. I feel good about the team. We know where we're playing. We know the division. But we've done a pretty good job of working and getting better. The work doesn't stop now. The work doesn't stop on April 1."
The team already experienced its first setback after left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez was scratched as the Opening Day starter due to dead arm. Rodriguez, who missed all of last season following complications from a bout with COVID-19, isn't expected to be out long. Right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (4-2, 3.72 ERA in 2020) gets the nod in his place, with the Orioles countering with left-hander John Means (2-4, 4.53), who will make his first Opening Day start.
Pitching will be the point of focus for the Red Sox this season. Ace left-hander Chris Sale is expected back midseason as he continues recovery from Tommy John surgery, and right-hander Garrett Richards, an offseason addition, could be a boon for the rotation if he stays healthy. Gone for Boston are outfielders Andrew Benintendi and Jackie Bradley Jr., replaced by Franchy Cordero, Hunter Renfroe and versatile bench options Enrique Hernandez and Marwin Gonzalez.
For the Orioles, the story is largely the same: develop young talent. Baltimore narrowly finished ahead of Boston in the AL East standings last season at 25-35 but still has a ways to go before it's considered a threat in the division. Young standouts Anthony Santander and Ryan Mountcastle will be looked to develop into middle-of-the-order bats, and the team will receive a boost in the form of 2019 team MVP Trey Mancini's return from Stage 3 colon cancer.
Still, pitching in general figures to be an area where the Orioles will seek greater stability.
"Depth is going to be vital this year," third-year manager Brandon Hyde said. "Because of last year and the lack of innings thrown, I don't think any of us have any idea of what this year is going to look like from the pitching side."
The Red Sox and Orioles will play three games to begin the season, with a day off Friday mixed in. Approximately 4,500 fans (12 percent) will be allowed in attendance in accordance with Massachusetts' COVID-19 protocols. No fans were allowed at Fenway Park in 2020.
--Field Level Media
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 30, 2021 7:22:28 GMT -5
Orioles @ Red Sox Probables 1 April 2pm....Means vs Nasty Nate 2nd April....OFF ( for now)....weather could be bad Thursday.. 3rd April...1pm...Matt Harvey vs Houck 4th April..1pm...Zimmerman vs Richards
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 30, 2021 7:23:36 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox Opening Day roster: Will Matt Barnes, Garrett Richards be ready after quarantining? Can Eduardo Rodriguez avoid the IL? Updated 6:00 AM; Today 6:00 AM
By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
As of a week ago, the Red Sox didn’t seem to have many tough decisions to make when it came to their Opening Day roster. Yes, Alex Cora would need to make one or two decisions at the back of the bullpen and then maybe make a tough call on the final bench spot. But in general, almost all of the 26-man group was set.
Then, all hell broke loose. Eduardo Rodriguez was scratched from his scheduled Opening Day start after battling “dead arm.” Catcher Christian Vázquez was hit in the face with a ball during a practice drill and now has stitches that will be removed before Thursday’s game. And most notably, Matt Barnes’ positive COVID-19 test forced at least four pitchers who were projected to make the major-league roster into quarantine for a three-day period, only to have Major League Baseball clear them all Monday afternoon after Barnes’ test was ruled to be some sort of false positive.
Now, with two days to go before the Sox host the Orioles at Fenway Park, things are a bit more certain but there are still questions to be answered before the final group is submitted. Here’s what Cora and his coaching staff must figure out before first pitch Thursday afternoon.
Will Barnes and the others be ready after quarantining?
Four major-league pitchers -- Barnes, starter Garrett Richards and relievers Matt Andriese and Garrett Whitlock -- were held out of team activities for three straight days after Barnes’ positive test. Richards, Andriese and Whitlock were found to be close contacts and had to quarantine until being cleared Monday afternoon.
It’s unclear if the 72-hour hiatus will mean those pitchers won’t be ready for Opening Day, though early indications are that they likely will be. Cora made multiple mentions to the club being at “full strength” after the news broke Monday afternoon and it’s believed all four pitchers continued throwing, even while away from team activities. Richards, who was originally slated to start over the weekend against Baltimore, might be the most affected of the group and could be pushed back until early next week against the Rays.
The Red Sox have options here. They can easily place any or all of the affected pitchers on the COVID-19 injured list and activate them whenever they choose. That would create short-term opportunities for pitchers like Tanner Houck, Colten Brewer, Phillips Valdez and Marcus Walden while allowing the Red Sox some early-season flexibility. Players on the COVID-19 IL don’t count against the 40-man roster.
The guess here is that all four pitchers will be active, but the flexibility created by placing, say, Richards on the COVID-19 IL might be attractive, especially if he’s a few days behind.
What’s the status of Eduardo Rodriguez? Does that affect the rotation for the weekend?
Rodriguez threw his second bullpen in three days Monday morning and might avoid the injured list. If the Red Sox do place him on the IL, the earliest they could activate him would be April 8 -- the first road game of the season in Baltimore.
It’s clear the Red Sox aren’t going to push Rodriguez to pitch over the weekend, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s headed to the IL. Again, temporarily placing him on the IL would give the club more flexibility, especially considering how Tanner Houck -- who started Monday -- seemed to be in line to make a spot start Saturday afternoon. If that happens, Boston could easily have Houck make his season debut in the majors then option him to Worcester to make room for Rodriguez after a week.
This one, especially, is hard to predict. Cora has repeatedly pledged to be careful with Rodriguez, but an IL placement might be a little much.
Will Christian Vázquez be good to go?
Vázquez will undergo some more testing over the next couple days, but he said Monday that he feels there’s a “99% chance” he’ll be in the lineup Thursday. If he can’t play for whatever reason, Kevin Plawecki will become the starting catcher and the Red Sox will promote a catching prospect -- either Ronaldo Hernández or Connor Wong -- who is on the 40-man roster.
Barring a major surprise, Vázquez will be ready to go. This one should be an easy decision.
Franchy Cordero and Christian Arroyo are locks, so is Michael Chavis the odd man out? Will the Sox go with 13 pitchers or 14?
Outfielder Franchy Cordero, who is still on the COVID-19 injured list, will break camp with the team after progressing quickly after a late arrival to camp. Infielder Christian Arroyo is out of options, so he’ll make the team as a bench option. If the Red Sox go with 14 pitchers and 12 position players, as they’ve planned all spring, that likely means Michael Chavis will be optioned to start the year. He’ll likely be the first player called up if a position player is injured.
There’s still an outside chance Cora will opt for 13 pitchers and 13 position players, especially if one of the pitchers who quarantined isn’t ready. That would further open the door for Chavis to make the team.
“There’s a chance we can go 13 and 13, but it’s because of the situation the last three days,” Cora said Monday morning, before Barnes and the others were cleared. “For us, it makes sense going 12 and 14 but I think we can adjust for a few days, if needed. Especially with the off day on Friday. Obviously, Christian (Vázquez)’s situation is another one. We have to take a look at it. We’re in conversations right now. There’s a good chance, if we see that we need one more extra player, we’ll go 13 and 13. That’s going to be just for a few days if that’s the case.”
Who claims the final bullpen spot?
If Barnes, Andriese and Whitlock are good to go, the Red Sox have only one decision to make in the bullpen. Barnes, Andriese, Whitlock, Darwinzon Hernandez, Adam Ottavino, Hirokazu Sawamura, Josh Taylor are locks, and Austin Brice seems like he has earned a spot. That would mean it’s a two-horse race for the final spot between Colten Brewer and Phillips Valdez.
Neither Brewer (9.95 ERA in 6 ⅓ innings) nor Valdez (9.35 ERA in 8 ⅔ innings) has had a good spring, but both have prior major-league success. Brewer, who spent most of 2019 in the majors pitching for Cora, might have the upper hand due to his familiarity with the manager and his ability to pitch multiple innings. Valdez, who was acquired before the 2020 season, was one of Boston’s best and most consistent relievers for all of last year.
This one could go either way, but the guess here is Brewer wins out because he can give the Sox some length. Whoever loses the competition will simply be optioned and start the year in Worcester. There’s also the possibility that the Red Sox sign a free-agent reliever in the coming days. They’ve had talks with Héctor Rondón, Jesse Biddle and likely others.
Which other moves need to be made?
Even if everyone on the bubble is deemed ready, Boston will still need to make some roster moves before Thursday. Reliever Ryan Brasier (right pinkie fracture) will need to go on the 60-day injured list while Cordero needs to be activated. If none of the pitchers go on the COVID-19 IL, the Sox will need to clear a 40-man spot for Cordero by designating somebody for assignment (righty John Schreiber and outfielder Marcus Wilson are two candidates). Assuming 14 pitchers make it, Chavis will need to be optioned to Worcester.
If Rodriguez goes on the IL, Houck would likely be called up in his place. The loser of the Valdez/Brewer battle would make it if one of the relievers is ruled out, with Walden and McCarthy among the other options if multiple pitchers can’t go.
In the best-case scenario, the only players who would need to be sent out are Chavis and either Brewer or Valdez. If more guys are unavailable, Boston’s depth will be tested early in the season.
OPENING DAY ROSTER PROJECTION:
STARTERS (5): RHP Nathan Eovaldi, LHP Martín Pérez, RHP Nick Pivetta, RHP Garrett Richards, LHP Eduardo Rodriguez
RELIEVERS (9): RHP Matt Andriese, RHP Matt Barnes, RHP Austin Brice, RHP Colten Brewer, LHP Darwinzon Hernandez, RHP Adam Ottavino, RHP Hirokazu Sawamura, LHP Josh Taylor, RHP Garrett Whitlock
CATCHERS (2): C Kevin Plawecki, C Christian Vázquez
INFIELDERS (4): INF Christian Arroyo, SS Xander Bogaerts, 1B Bobby Dalbec, 3B Rafael Devers
UTILITY PLAYERS (2): UTIL Kiké Herńandez, UTIL Marwin Gonzalez
OUTFIELDERS (4): OF Franchy Cordero, OF/DH J.D. Martinez, OF Hunter Renfroe, OF Alex Verdugo
INJURED LIST (2): RHP Ryan Brasier, LHP Chris Sale
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 30, 2021 10:51:17 GMT -5
Nine thoughts on the new-look Red Sox ahead of Opening Day By Chad Finn Globe Staff,Updated March 30, 2021, 1 hour ago
Playing nine innings while wondering if we’ll see Chris Sale on the Fenway mound this season …
1. None of the six writers that predicted the 2021 postseason participants in the Globe baseball preview section picked the Red Sox to earn a playoff berth. I suspect I might have been the closest to doing so, giving it serious consideration before deciding the Sox will finish in the 83-win range and fall a few games short. Related: Read the Globe's Red Sox season preview section
Two years ago, the last time teams played a full 162 games, the Brewers had the worst record among wild card teams at 89-73. Red Sox hopes this year would have benefited from keeping last year’s eight-per-league playoff format, or by adding a third wild card in each league. The best hope to me is that they end up playing meaningful games through September.
I was feeling pretty good about not picking them when the lousy breaks started stacking up this week: Matt Barnes testing positive for COVID-19 and the potential effects that could have on his teammates; Christian Vázquez taking a stray baseball off the eye socket; Eduardo Rodriguez coming down with a dead arm. For a team that for a variety of reasons must start well — and should, with six of their first nine against the Orioles — it was a lot to endure.
But the news isn’t so grim after all. Barnes was determined to have a non-infectious positive for COVID-19 — I’d never heard of that either. He and his close contacts were allowed to return to the team Monday, surely with a deep exhale. Vázquez said there’s a “99 percent” chance he’ll be ready for Opening Day, and felt fortunate he had sunglasses on to protect the eye. Rodriguez, scratched as the Opening Day starter, looked strong in a bullpen session, and his absence opened a spot for Tanner Houck, who is one of their five best starters anyway.
Turns out the bad breaks could have been worse. Maybe it’s a sign they actually will have some good fortune this year.
2. Interesting tidbit from a recent conversation with a ’70s Red Sox star, part 1: Fred Lynn was a fan of Andrew Benintendi’s game, but said he never really bought the comparisons between the two of them when it came to their swings.
“Our swings are both lefthanded, but we’re very different. He has this short, compact swing. And I didn’t have a short compact swing. Mine was long and fluid. He has shorter arms, where I’ve got the wingspan of a guy who is 6-foot-3,” said Lynn, who is 6-foot-1. “Swing-wise, I think we’re really different. But neither one of us is a very big guy. We’re not Jim Rice or David Ortiz. And we could both go the other way and use Fenway to our advantage.”
Lynn slashed .347/.420/.601 in 440 career regular-season games at Fenway. Benintendi, who is hitting .225 with a .690 OPS this spring with the Royals, has a .279/.350/.450 line in 238 games at Fenway.
3. Interesting tidbit from a recent conversation with a ’70s Red Sox player, part 2: Dennis Eckersley said he sees a little bit of young Mark McGwire in Bobby Dalbec.
“I just got a little rush thinking about this,” said Eckersley. “How about the next Mark McGwire? How about dropping 49 bombs? Wouldn’t that be fun? I mean, I know it’s a stretch. But maybe? He is built like McGwire when he came up, and the power is something else.”
Eckersley was traded to the A’s in April 1987, joining the club for McGwire’s record-setting rookie season, when the slugger hit 49 homers, including 33 before the All-Star break.
4. There are legitimate concerns about the Red Sox’ outfield defense — and really, their defense overall — at least compared to what we’re used to from the last few seasons.
Alex Verdugo should be average in center field, and Hunter Renfroe has been impressive there this spring, especially for someone who has played exactly 15 innings at the position in his five big-league seasons. Franchy Cordero can play center, which means he should be capable in left. Kiké Hernández can be spectacular in the outfield, but he seems poised to get more time at second base. Marwin Gonzalez is dependable but unspectacular, while J.D. Martinez’s defense makes us grateful baseball had the foresight to implement the designated hitter in 1973.
This group should be adequate, but Sox pitchers that have been here awhile will occasionally find themselves longing for the days when Jackie Bradley Jr. and Mookie Betts seemed to cover the entire diamond themselves.
5. Does Verdugo qualify as a breakout candidate? Or do we count last year’s 53-game sample, when he hit .308 with an .844 OPS and 22 extra-base hits, as his official breakout? His 2020 numbers translate to 19 homers, 49 doubles, 190 hits, and 111 runs in 162 games. Here’s a small-sample oddity: Verdugo had just 15 RBIs, which would be 46 RBIs over a full season. Wouldn’t shock me if he doubled that this year. I believe he’s the hitter Andrew Benintendi was supposed to be.
Bet you didn’t know Verdugo was 12th in the AL MVP voting last year. It was the second straight year a Red Sox player finished 12th, with Rafael Devers coming in at that spot in ’19.
6. Coming off his monstrous 2019 breakthrough in which he led the majors in doubles (54) and the American League in total bases (359), Devers was just OK last season, hitting 11 home runs with a .793 OPS. I have little doubt that he will put up big numbers at age 24 this season — it’s clear how good he is, and that weird ’20 season affected different people in different ways.
I’m more curious to see whether he figures it out at third base. He made 14 errors last year on 128 chances, an .891 fielding percentage. How bad is that? When Butch Hobson made 43 errors at third base in ’78, famously having to sometimes readjust the bone chips in his elbow before throwing across the diamond, his fielding percentage was .899.
7. Mookie Betts told GQ in a candid and wide-ranging interview that he thought he’d be with the Red Sox for life and had begun looking for a house to purchase in the Boston area. But the offer that would pay him what he could have expected to get on the free-agent market in the pre-pandemic world never came.
At this point, if you’re sticking with the narrative the team wants you to believe — that he never would have stayed here, no matter what — you might as well be calling him a liar.
8. Alex Cora is an excellent manager. Whether you think he deserves the second chance or not, it should benefit the Red Sox to have him back, but I don’t believe for a second he would have made a difference over Ron Roenicke with last year’s 24-36 team. By my estimation, at least eight of the 27 non-position-player pitchers they used last year will never see another big-league inning. Joe McCarthy reincarnated couldn’t have won with that staff.
9. Three takes that will either look really good or really bad come September.
J.D. Martinez won’t finish with a batting average above .250. Garrett Richards will be the Red Sox’ second-best starter, after E-Rod. If he can figure out how to stay on the field, Franchy Cordero will mash.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 30, 2021 10:53:12 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox moves: Michael Chavis sent down to Worcester, Phillips Valdez makes Opening Day roster over Colten Brewer Updated 11:43 AM; Today 11:06 AM
By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
The Red Sox took some steps toward finalizing their Opening Day roster Tuesday morning, announcing some moves before departing for Boston this evening.
Boston activated outfielder Franchy Cordero from the COVID-19 injured list, designated reliever John Schreiber for assignment and optioned infielder Michael Chavis and Colten Brewer to the club’s alternate training site in Worcester. Barring a surprise, both infielder Christian Arroyo and reliever Phillips Valdez will make the Opening Day roster.
Here’s what all the moves mean:
Chavis goes down
The Chavis move is the most notable of these, as the former first-round pick has played his last 137 games in the majors after being called up in April 2019. He had a great spring (.892 OPS, six homers in 25 games) but was always facing an uphill battle against Arroyo, who is out of options and therefore can’t be freely optioned to the minors.
Despite Chavis looking strong in camp, the Red Sox clearly believe additional time in the minors will be good for his progression as he looks to close a couple swing holes and improve defensively at second base and the corner spots. After a miserable 2020 (.212 average, .636 OPS in 42 games), Chavis fell down the depth chart and will now -- along with infielder/outfielder Danny Santana (once healthy) -- will be Boston’s top two positional depth options at the alternate site.
Arroyo will claim a bench spot alongside backup catcher Kevin Plawecki and whichever outfielder is not starting on a given night.
Valdez in, Brewer out
Valdez, one of Boston’s most consistent relievers last year (3.26 ERA in 30 ⅓ innings), won the final bullpen spot over Brewer, who has been with the team since 2019. Neither Brewer (9.95 ERA in 6 ⅓ innings) nor Valdez (9.35 ERA in 8 ⅔ innings) had a good spring training, but the Red Sox needed an an extra arm with Ryan Brasier (right pinkie fracture and left calf strain) beginning the year on the IL.
In this spot, Valdez and Brewer will be easily interchangeable, as both can be optioned to and from Worcester as the Red Sox choose. Brewer (4.59 ERA in 80 ⅓ innings in two seasons with Boston) will likely be one of the first relievers called up if Boston needs a relief arm. Eduard Bazardo and non-roster pitchers Kevin McCarthy and Marcus Walden will be in Worcester as depth.
Cordero activated, Schreiber DFA
Cordero was a late arrival to spring training after testing positive for COVID-19, and new league rules stipulate that teams can keep players on the COVID-19 IL until they’re back at full strength. Because Cordero was deemed ready to make the Opening Day roster, he needed to be activated by Thursday.
Players on the COVID-19 IL don’t count against a club’s 40-man roster, so the Red Sox needed to clear a spot to activate Cordero. The casualty was Schreiber, a 27-year-old reliever Boston claimed off waivers from Detroit on Feb. 18. The Red Sox will now have seven days to trade, release or waive the righty.
What’s next?
The Red Sox will likely make a couple more moves before Thursday’s opener. First, Brasier will be placed on the injured list. The club also seems exceedingly likely to place Eduardo Rodriguez (arm fatigue) on the IL and call up Tanner Houck, who was optioned to the alternate site earlier in the month. Barring a last-minute surprise, those will be the final moves before the roster is set.
Projected roster
STARTERS (5): RHP Nathan Eovaldi, RHP Tanner Houck, LHP Martín Pérez, RHP Nick Pivetta, RHP Garrett Richards
RELIEVERS (9): RHP Matt Andriese, RHP Matt Barnes, RHP Austin Brice, LHP Darwinzon Hernandez, RHP Adam Ottavino, RHP Hirokazu Sawamura, LHP Josh Taylor, RHP Phillips Valdez, RHP Garrett Whitlock
CATCHERS (2): C Kevin Plawecki, C Christian Vázquez
INFIELDERS (4): INF Christian Arroyo, SS Xander Bogaerts, 1B Bobby Dalbec, 3B Rafael Devers
UTILITY PLAYERS (2): UTIL Kiké Herńandez, UTIL Marwin Gonzalez
OUTFIELDERS (4): OF Franchy Cordero, OF/DH J.D. Martinez, OF Hunter Renfroe, OF Alex Verdugo
***
INJURED LIST (3): RHP Ryan Brasier, LHP Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP Chris Sale
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 30, 2021 11:03:06 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 2h No rotation for sure beyond Eovaldi right now.
But Houck or Pivetta for Saturday or Sunday and Richards for Sunday or Monday. Perez on Tuesday.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 30, 2021 13:13:01 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 1h If Christian Vazquez starts Opening Day, that would be four in a row for him.
It would be the longest streak for a Sox catcher since Jason Varitek rang up 10 in a row from 2000-09.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 30, 2021 13:13:41 GMT -5
Hazel Mae @thehazelmae · 1h #BlueJays announce the club will play its THIRD homestand May 14-24 in Dundedin at TD Ballpark.
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 49m This includes games against the Red Sox May 18-19-20.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 30, 2021 17:39:52 GMT -5
A safe call at Fenway: Red Sox do some remodeling to welcome fans back By Stan Grossfeld Globe Staff,Updated March 30, 2021, 8:19 a.m.
Finally, it’s time to return to the ballpark in person, albeit in smaller numbers, and Red Sox Nation can breathe a socially distant sigh of relief.
Since Feb. 1, New Englanders have loved to get vaccinated under the grandstand at Fenway Park. They scooped up a free “I got vaccinated at Fenway Park” souvenir button and then walked up a ramp to a tented area in left field to take a selfie.
Bob Jump of Lowell didn’t even blink when he got one of the last of the 56,214 shots that were administered last Saturday. That’s two thousand more shots than there are seats at the home of the Evil Empire at Yankee Stadium.
“It’s great to get it at Fenway Park,” says Jump. “I haven’t been here since I was a teenager during Yastrzemski games. I’d love to go to a game here. I’d take my granddaughter.”
Now he has that chance.
For the season opener scheduled for Thursday, state officials will allow Fenway Park to be at 12 percent of capacity, or about 4,500 people. Fans won’t have to have their temperature taken entering the ballpark, but they will have to fill out a health questionnaire on the MLB ballpark app that asks general questions about their health and any symptoms they may be having.
They will enter the park through “neighborhood zones” near their seats. Seating will be in socially distant pods of two or four seats. There is plexiglass and hand sanitizer at all the concession stands and throughout the park.
The ballpark is sparkling clean.
And groundskeeper Dave Mellor has done his magic; the field is perfectly manicured.
Things are slowly returning to normal. Gone are the green-tented auxiliary dugouts that housed players in lower box seats last year. Luxury suites will no longer house players. The right field concourse has been partitioned off to allow for a batting cage and strength and conditioning area.
There’s also something new to aim for. Players can take a shot at hitting the new Moderna ad on the Green Monster in left-center.
Fan interaction with players will be limited, though. According to MLB safety protocols, there will be no autographs signed or balls flipped into the stands.
For social distancing reasons, the Sox will now occupy two clubhouses. The original clubhouse has been remodeled so that each player will have three stalls, surrounded by sheets of plexiglass. The trainer’s room has been converted into more locker room space. The media room will be used for the trainer’s room.
Outside the ballpark between Van Ness St. and Gate D, the jigsaw puzzle that was the players’ parking lot is being converted into a tented, open-air players dining area and lounge for players. Family rooms have been converted to COVID testing rooms.
“Last year, we had free rein of the place with no fans,” says Red Sox chief operating officer Jonathan Gilula. “With fans coming back, we had to get even more creative.
“The ultimate goal here is to create an environment that’s healthy and safe for players, staff and of course, fans as they come back.”
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 30, 2021 17:45:30 GMT -5
Red Sox are about as ready as they can be to start the season By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated March 30, 2021, 1 hour ago
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Alex Cora’s relentless optimism was tested for a few days when Matt Barnes tested positive for COVID-19 and three other pitchers were roped into quarantine for being in close contact with him.
Happy Alex was back Tuesday.
“We’re getting all the boys back today,” the Red Sox manager said.
Barnes was cut loose from protocol Monday after it was determined that he was “non-infectious.” That’s a new term in virusville, but none of the Red Sox cared much about the details.
What matters is that Barnes will be on the Opening Day roster, as will Matt Andriese, Garrett Richards, and Garrett Whitlock. With only a few exceptions, the team the Sox felt good about in February will be the one in uniform for Opening Day against the Baltimore Orioles Thursday.
Eduardo Rodriguez is a few days behind his rotation mates but should make his first start sometime next week. The Sox are expected to plug Tanner Houck into the rotation to make a start in his place.
When the Sox needed a depth starter last year, it was often some waiver-wire vagabond or an overmatched rookie. That, or they resorted to running a parade of middling relievers to the mound.
Now it’s Houck, a legitimate 24-year-old prospect who was lights-out in three starts at the end of last season and has pitched well in camp.
He needs a third pitch to succeed long-term and ideally would be working on that in the minors for a bit. But Houck is a major upgrade over the likes of Zack Godley, Andrew Triggs, and assorted no-hopers the Sox used last season.
The Sox don’t have a rotation that compares favorably to the Yankees, Rays, or even Blue Jays. But at least it’s a competitive one that will give the lineup a chance to win. They left here feeling good after posting a 16-11-1 record and leading the Grapefruit League in runs and home runs by a wide margin.
Like the Sox of old, their strength will be the offense. The versatility of the roster will be a plus, too.
You will see Kiké Hernández start games in center field and finish them at second base. Marwin Gonzalez, who had a good camp at the plate, played games at first, second, third, shortstop, right field, and left field in Florida.
After always knowing what positions Andrew Benintendi, Jackie Bradley Jr., and Mookie Betts would play, Sox fans will have to get used to checking the lineup to see who’s where in the outfield.
Alex Verdugo is a center fielder who will play right field sometimes and started in left Tuesday because Cora wanted to see what that looked like.
The Sox will dig into the numbers and arrange their defense accordingly. The Rays have used defensive versatility to their advantage for years, and Chaim Bloom brought that with him. It didn’t make much of a difference over 60 games last year but should over 162.
“Very solid camp,” Cora said. “With all the obstacles with the virus, we kept the energy, we played good baseball. We did a few things differently as far as preparation and you can see it paid off.”
Cora was referring to the emphasis placed on individual defensive skills for infielders. The Sox had a lot to clean up, and we’ll see if that translates once the games count, especially for Rafael Devers at third base.
There could be a change or two if Bloom looks for an upgrade, especially in the bullpen. But here is the team heading for Fenway:
Rotation: Nate Eovaldi, Tanner Houck, Nick Pivetta, Martín Pérez, Garrett Richards.
Bullpen: Matt Andriese, Matt Barnes, Austin Brice, Darwinzon Hernandez, Adam Ottavino, Hirokazu Sawamura, Josh Taylor, Phillips Valdez, Garett Whitlock.
Catchers: Kevin Plawecki, Christian Vazquez.
Infielders: Christian Arroyo, Xander Bogaerts, Bobby Dalbec, Rafael Devers.
Outfielders: Franchy Cordero, Hunter Renfroe, Alex Verdugo.
INF/OF: Marwin Gonzalez, Kiké Hernández.
Designated hitter: J.D. Martinez.
As tradition dictates, there was plenty of first-pitch swinging and quick outs in the final game of spring training. The Sox and Braves agreed beforehand to play seven innings, and they finished up in two hours and 17 minutes.
Then it was off to Boston for what should be a much more interesting season than last year.
See you at the ballpark. Finally.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 31, 2021 3:07:16 GMT -5
Opening Day FAQ: Orioles vs. Red Sox March 30th, 2021 Ian Browne
Ian Browne
Joe Trezza
There will be much more of a buzz in the air -- and in the stands -- when the Orioles and the Red Sox face off on Opening Day at Fenway Park on Thursday for the second consecutive season.
Last year, the meeting took place on July 24, and it was the start of a season shortened to 60 games due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There were no fans in the stands.
This time around, the longtime American League East foes are gearing up for the start of a traditional 162-game season.
And for the first time since the last game of the 2019 season, there will be fans at Fenway Park. Per Massachusetts regulations, Fenway will allow 12 percent capacity, which means roughly 4,500 will be in the stands as the '21 season starts anew.
Led by manager Alex Cora, who returns after a one-year suspension, the Red Sox are determined to get back into the playoff hunt after a disappointing 24-36 season in 2020, which left them in last place in the AL East.
“Obviously we made a lot of new changes and have a lot of new faces,” said Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts. “AC came back as a manager. The pitching has been getting better and we have a lot of big arms in the bullpen. And, obviously, we traded for some guys with experience and signed some guys also. So this year we're looking much better than we did last year -- that’s for sure.”
As for the Orioles, they are hoping to take another step in their rebuilding program, but they will be buoyed by the return of veteran Trey Mancini, who missed all of last season recovering from Stage 3 colon cancer.
“I'm very proud of where I am right now. Feeling like myself and feeling great is something I am very appreciative of and don’t take for granted at all,” Mancini said. “I’m hoping to take a lot of that perspective into this year. I really think I’m going to appreciate -- not that I didn’t before -- but I will really appreciate being able to play Major League baseball every single day.”
When is the game and how can I watch it? First pitch at Fenway Park on Thursday is set for 2:10 p.m. ET. Red Sox fans can watch the game locally on NESN and listen on all the affiliates on the WEEI radio network, including flagship 93.7 FM in Boston. Orioles fans can tune in on MASN (Mid-Atlantic Sports Network) and on Orioles Radio Network. Out-of-market fans can watch on MLB.TV.
The starting lineups
Orioles: Mancini is slated to be in the lineup for what is sure to be an emotional day. He is back without restriction as the Orioles' everyday first baseman and top hitter. Free-agent signings Maikel Franco and Freddy Galvis will make their team debuts at third base and shortstop, and Pat Valaika will slide in at second base after the late-spring decision to part ways with Yolmer Sánchez. Anthony Santander and Ryan Mountcastle anchor what should be an exciting O’s outfield, after Santander broke out in 2020 and Mountcastle enjoyed a nice debut, positioning himself as an AL Rookie of the Year Award candidate in '21.
Projected lineup
1. Cedric Mullins, CF 2. Trey Mancini, 1B 3. Anthony Santander, RF 4. Ryan Mountcastle, LF 5. Maikel Franco, 3B 6. Austin Hays, DH 7. Freddy Galvis, SS 8. Pedro Severino, C 9. Pat Valaika, 2B
Red Sox: There might be questions about their pitching staff, but the Red Sox plan on pounding the baseball with a lineup that is deep from top to bottom. Alex Verdugo, a rare bright spot amid last year’s disappointment, is looking forward to playing in front of Boston fans for the first time. Top rebound candidate J.D. Martinez looks to join Bogaerts and Rafael Devers for what could be a fearsome middle of the order. New faces like Kiké Hernández, Hunter Renfroe and Franchy Cordero will help round out what should be one of the best offenses in MLB.
Projected lineup
1. Kiké Hernández, 2B 2. Alex Verdugo, CF 3. J.D. Martinez, DH 4. Xander Bogaerts, SS 5. Rafael Devers, 3B 6. Hunter Renfroe, RF 7. Christian Vázquez, C 8. Marwin Gonzalez, LF 9. Bobby Dalbec, 1B
Who are the starting pitchers? Orioles: Lefty John Means was supposed to start Opening Day 2020, but he missed the assignment to a bout of left arm fatigue. The '19 All-Star faces no such hurdle this time around after going 2-4 with a 4.53 ERA in 10 starts last season. Means was an All-Star the summer prior, going 12-11 with a 3.60 ERA and placing second in AL Rookie of the Year Award voting. He’s improved his stuff mightily since then, with a fastball that now lives in the mid-90s with elite spin, two distinct breaking balls and a changeup he can throw in any count.
Red Sox: Hard-throwing righty Nathan Eovaldi will step in for ace Eduardo Rodriguez on Opening Day for the second straight year. Rodriguez had "dead arm" in his final start of Spring Training, but he isn’t expected to be out for long. Eovaldi hopes to perform as well as he did in last year’s opener, when he held Baltimore to five hits and one run over six solid innings. In fact, Eovaldi has traditionally fared well against the O’s, going 6-1 with a 4.15 ERA in 12 career starts.
How will the bullpens line up after the starters? Orioles: The O's will want length from Means every time he takes the mound, given their depth issues and the need for innings coming off the shortened 2020 season. All their young pitchers will be on workload restrictions, and the bullpen still has few defined roles (since his managerial tenure began in '19, Brandon Hyde is yet to name a closer). Hard-throwing lefty Tanner Scott profiles as the highest-leverage reliever with Hunter Harvey (oblique) sidelined; look for Paul Fry and Shawn Armstrong to be asked to get big outs, too, whether its in the middle innings or late in games. The Orioles plan to turn over their pitching again and again in search of innings this year; as of Opening Day, the top feature of this nine-man ‘pen is its ability to eat them in bulk. It includes at least three long man/bulk-innings types, with César Valdez, Wade LeBlanc and Adam Plutko all capable of providing length.
Red Sox: Cora’s two high-leverage relievers are veteran righties Matt Barnes and Adam Ottavino, the latter of whom was acquired in an offseason trade with the rival Yankees. With reliever Ryan Brasier out of the early-season mix due to a fractured right pinkie that slowed him in Spring Training, Cora will need power lefty Darwinzon Hernandez to step up in the seventh inning. Japanese rookie righty Hirokazu Sawamura will be another important weapon, though he needs to rediscover the split that made him such a force for the Chiba Lotte Marines last season. For length, Cora will call on veteran Matt Andriese and rookie Garrett Whitlock.
Any injuries of note? Orioles: Santander had his breakout 2020 season cut short due to an oblique strain, then he sat out the last week of camp due to similar issues, but he is expected to be in Thursday's lineup. Outfielder DJ Stewart was unable to truly battle for at-bats at the corners and designated hitter because of a left hamstring issue in camp; he’ll open the year on the 10-day injured list. Harvey and Chris Davis are on the 60-day IL, sidelining them at least through May. Davis suffered a lower back strain in the spring opener and never returned.
Red Sox: The big one is Chris Sale, as the lefty ace continues to rehab from Tommy John surgery. The best-case scenario would be Sale returning around midseason and giving Boston a lift for the stretch run. Rodriguez will hopefully just miss a few days at the start of the season. The lefty is determined to pitch as much as he can after missing all of 2020 with myocarditis. Cora looks forward to getting Brasier back soon, as he is a big part of the equation in setup relief.
Who is hot and who is not? Orioles: Hays had the best camp of any O's hitter, batting .392 with a 1.192 OPS and four homers. Mancini picked up where he left off upon returning, hitting .333 with two homers in Grapefruit League play, and Mullins had a nice enough camp to stave off Hays for everyday reps in center. Franco only got into six games after signing on March 16, Pedro Severino hit .200 in camp and Means pitched to a 7.11 ERA.
Red Sox: At the outset of camp, Cora challenged Hernández to be the leadoff hitter, and the veteran has responded, finishing with a .327 average in the Grapefruit League slate. He has also displayed a sharp batting eye. Rookie Bobby Dalbec looks ready to take on his responsibility as the starting first baseman, after belting seven homers this spring. From a pitching standpoint, Barnes, Ottavino and Whitlock were all excellent throughout Spring Training.
Anything else fans might want to know? • This will be the fourth straight season Bogaerts and Devers will start Opening Day on the left side of the infield for the Red Sox. The last time the club had a duo start four consecutive openers was 1914-17 (Larry Gardner and Everett Scott).
• Before 2020, the Orioles last played a season opener at Fenway Park in 1966. They also finished the ’19 season in Boston and it is where Means made his MLB debut in September ’18.
• Exactly one week after these teams open at Fenway, they will face off in Baltimore’s home opener at Camden Yards.
• Cora will be the first person to return as manager for a franchise after just a one-season gap since the late Billy Martin (1983, ’85).
• A switch-hitter for his first three MLB seasons, Mullins is hitting exclusively left-handed now as he attempts to maximize his ability at the big league level. That should allow Hays to get plenty of at-bats against left-handed pitching, even when the O’s use the DH slot to rotate Mancini and others through.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 31, 2021 3:30:16 GMT -5
What Red Sox fans can expect at Fenway Park on Opening Day and beyond Fenway Park plans to allow just under 5,000 fans for Red Sox home games during the early part of the season.
By Khari Thompson March 30, 2021 | 2:57 PM
Whatever happens with the Boston Red Sox on the field on Opening Day Thursday, their fans will at least be on hand to see it in person.
The Red Sox plan to allow about 4,500 people, roughly 12 percent of Fenway Park’s capacity — into the stadium for the afternoon tilt with the Baltimore Orioles — the first time fans will set foot inside for a game since the Sox beat those same Orioles 5-4 back on September 29, 2019.
“As someone who was here last year watching games in an empty ballpark, it was a little off,” said Sarah McKenna, the Red Sox’ senior vice president of fans services and entertainment. “Having fans back, having that crowd, hearing people cheer, that’s going to be fantastic.” Advertisement
But with the country continuing to battle the coronavirus pandemic, the Fenway experience still won’t be quite the same as it was pre-pandemic.
For starters, the process for getting into the park will rely more heavily on electronic means than before.
Fans must purchase their tickets through the MLB Ballpark app, which McKenna encourages people to download onto their phones before coming to the park. The digital tickets from the app will include assigned entry through either Fenway’s “A” or “E” gate, their seat assignment, and a COVID self-assessment for guests to fill out. McKenna says people can still print their tickets out at home and present them at their assigned gate, but she adds that downloading the Ballpark app will aid Fenway’s efforts to keep the entry process “as contactless as possible.”
“Just be ready,” she said when asked for her advice to fans arriving at Fenway for games. “We want to keep the line moving. We want everyone to feel safe.”
Bags also will not be allowed inside the stadium except for small purses, medical items, or diaper bags.
Once inside, fans must sit in assigned pods mainly composed of two to four people with the largest containing up to six, according to the Red Sox’ senior vice president of ballpark operations Peter Nesbit. He said fans can access “all areas” of Fenway for seating, including the Samuel Adams deck in right field and the bleachers atop the Green Monster. But stadium staff have zip-tied all seats not expressly designated for pods to prevent unauthorized usage and to keep pods more than six feet apart. Patrons must also wear a mask at all times.
People can also order drinks (from a bottle or can) and tightly wrapped hot dogs from vendors using the ballpark’s new touch-pay system, allowing customers to purchase items by simply tapping their credit cards. Both Nesbit and McKenna confirmed cash payments will still be accepted for customers who don’t carry cards.
McKenna says she’s confident the changes will allow fans to enjoy in-person baseball again as safely as possible.
“We saw thousands of people when we held voting here,” she said. “We saw thousands of people every day when we were running as a vaccine site. And we were able to keep people safe…we’re using the entirety of the ballpark, where in those opportunities we were really using just part of it. Using the entire ballpark, I think, will help.”
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 31, 2021 3:41:34 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox notebook: Michael Chavis upset about being optioned and Alex Cora likes that attitude; rotation set with Garrett Richards starting Sunday Updated Mar 30, 2021; Posted Mar 30, 2021
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
Michael Chavis wasn’t happy when the Red Sox optioned him to the alternate training. But manager Alex Cora views that in a positive way. He likes Chavis having that type of attitude.
Chavis will begin the 2021 season in Worcester. The Red Sox chose Christian Arroyo for the final position player roster spot.
“There’s a lot of circumstances that go into the decision but one thing we like about Christian, he can play shortstop,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “Michael, he made some strides. And I’m glad he was upset because that’s part of it. Nobody’s happy when they send you down. But we talk about a few things that he needs to do to be the complete hitter we know he can be. I think at the end, he didn’t control the strike zone. He was very aggressive chasing pitches out of the zone.”
Chavis went 13-for-43 (.302) with a .362 on-base percentage, .767 slugging percentage, 1.129 OPS, six home runs, two doubles, 10 RBIs, nine runs, two walks and 12 strikeouts in his first 18 games of spring training.
But he went just 2-for-17 with eight strikeouts in his final seven games.
“Now with his swing, knowing that he knows boundaries of the strike zone up, now we have to make sure, ‘Hey, we can drive pitches in the zone,’” Cora said. “So he’ll work on that. And I’ve been saying all along, it takes more than 26 guys to win this thing. Because you’re on the Opening Day roster, it doesn’t mean you’re going to be here the whole season. There’s circumstances and injuries and other stuff, especially nowadays. ... He needs to be ready. Not only him. All those kids down there.”
Cora announces upcoming pitching schedule
Thursday vs. Orioles: Nathan Eovaldi
Saturday vs. Orioles: TBD
Sunday vs. Orioles: Garrett Richards
Monday vs. Rays: Nick Pivetta
Tuesday vs. Rays: Martín Pérez
Eduardo Rodriguez (dead arm) likely will begin the season on the IL. He will travel to Boston with the team Tuesday.
Tanner Houck is a strong candidate to start Saturday against the Orioles.
Brasier has Grade 2 calf strain
Reliever Ryan Brasier’s MRI revealed that he has a Grade 2 calf strain.
He strained it while fielding a ground ball during the B-game Monday. He underwent an MRI on Tuesday morning.
Heading to Boston
Red Sox players both on the 26-man roster and those who will be at the alternate training site will head to Boston on the same plane Tuesday. Red Sox Opening Day is Thursday at Fenway Park against the Baltimore Orioles.
Cora will be vaccinated
MLB and the players union sent a memo to teams telling them that COVID protocols will be relaxed if 85% of the league is vaccinated, per the Associated Press.
“From my end, whenever I get the chance, I’ll do it,” Cora said. “That’s my personal decision so that’s what I’m going to do. My family, already, we talked about it. Whenever we have the chance, we’ll do it. It’s everybody’s decision and we’re going to respect that. Obviously we’re going to respect the protocols and the guidelines on everything that comes with it. Each state is different. Each organization, it seems like they’re doing different things, right?
“We got the memo. We understand. I think the players’ association sent it a few days ago. The players understand where they’re at. We’ll respect whatever decision they make about vaccination.”
Opening Day memories
Cora was asked about the first time he ever played in an Opening Day game. He couldn’t remember it all.
A look back at the box score reveals he went 1-for-3 in Los Angeles’ 1-0 win over the Brewers at Dodger Stadium on April 2, 2001.
His favorite Opening Day memory? His first game as Red Sox manager, against the Rays in St. Petersburg. He said he was changing his twin boys’ diapers before games.
“You got back to ‘18 when I was changing diapers at The Vinoy, before my first big league managing game, and I love that memory because it is what life is all about. I will always remember at the end of the day, I have to change diapers, although they’re potty trained (now). They’re ready to go now so we’re in a good spot. Yeah, if you need a humble pie or a humble experience, think about changing diapers.”
Barnes talks UConn women’s basketball
UConn alum Matt Barnes isn’t surprised the Huskies women’s basketball made another Final Four.
“Aren’t they there every year?” he said. “It’s awesome. What they’re doing is great. They’re always competing for a championship. They’re always in the Final Four. The sustained dominance in their sport is uncanny and frankly, probably, unmatched. So it’s always awesome to see.”
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 31, 2021 6:26:49 GMT -5
Dustin Pedroia reflects on life without an Opening Day
By Rob Bradford 9 hours ago
Dustin Pedroia is content these days.
After announcing his retirement in February, the 37-year-old has settled into life as a former professional baseball player, routinely taking his three sons to school while also dabbling in ranks of youth baseball coaching.
But Thursday there will undoubtedly be a tinge of envy. It's unavoidable. It's Opening Day.
"I’m OK," Pedroia said while appearing on the Bradfo Sho podcast's latest "Uniquely Boston" series (sponsored by City of Boston Credit Union). "I had some time leading up to it because of the injuries. Last year I wasn’t around because of what I was going through with surgeries and all that crap. I’m OK. Obviously, I’m going to be watching. Nobody loves baseball more than I do. I will be watching and stuff like that. I don’t miss playing. I miss being there. I don’t miss playing because, dude, I can’t. It would be one thing if I was healthy and not playing. I don’t think that would be possible. If I was healthy I would be out there hitting second hitting rockets off people. It is what it is, man. Everything has an expiration date. Look on the back of the bottle."
But Pedroia isn't healthy, and hasn't been for some time. That replaced right knee has made sure of that.
It has left the former second baseman watching from his Arizona home, no longer fighting for that next Fenway Park at-bat. His existence this year will be looking forward to his sons' next games, while remembering how special that first home tilt of the season always is.
"Every one of them is special, man," Pedroia said of the season openers. "There is a lot of stuff going on. Especially at our home openers. Just everything going on, so you’re trying to kind of not get too excited. But it’s impossible because you’re fired up. It’s the start of the season. There is nothing like Opening Day in baseball. Hell, I went to my Opening Day for my six-year-old in Little League and that was wild. Can you imagine doing it in at Fenway Park? That’s what (his son) Cole said. He said, ‘Dad, this is awesome for (his youngest son) Brooks. What’s it like at Fenway?’ I’m like, ‘What the hell are you talking about, you were there.’ He goes, ‘I don’t remember.’ He was younger. It’s just the best. Baseball, there’s nothing like it."
Pedroia's favorite Opening Day memory?
There was that game in Tokyo in 2008, when Brandon Moss -- who wasn't even on the roster when the Red Sox' plane took off from the United States -- hit the game-winner against the A's.
Or that day at Fenway that included Rob Gronkowski chasing Tom Brady through the outfield. ("That was a circus," Pedroia said. "That was awesome.")
There was one, however, that stands out. That came on April 9, 2019.
After a season-long battle with the Manny Machado-induced knee injury, Pedroia had found a way to be ready for a return by the time the Red Sox returned from their 11-game, season-opening road trip.
He collected his World Series ring. He was showered with Fenway adulation. And he started at second base for the Red Sox.
"I think that was probably my favorite because I felt like I had accomplished something getting back from what I’ve been through and just being able to be out there with the guys," he remembered. "The ring ceremony and the ovation from the fans, that was pretty cool. That was probably my favorite Opening Day."
While Pedroia has moved on to the next chapter in his life, he did leave a parting gift for those Red Sox who will be wearing the uniform on April 1.
At behest of Alex Cora, Pedroia offered a message the current group of Red Sox on the first day of spring training this year.
Considering the paths and perseverance Pedroia navitgated over his 15-year career, this was important stuff.
"Alex just told me, ‘Listen, I want you to talk to the guys at the meeting. You’ve been in those meetings.’ I was like, ‘Yeah, I will do it.’ I know all you guys all think I’m crazy and I just start yelling motivational stuff and start screaming cuss words. That’s really not how I am when I’m serious," Pedroia said. "I just wanted to let them know how special it is to be part of something like that. Obviously, some of the guys are new. It’s a special environment and once you’re around it it brings out the best in you. I just wanted to let them know to enjoy it because it can be taken away from you in a heartbeat. So don’t go in one day not 100 percent convicted and two feet in on your approach to winning and being the best teammate you can possibly be. Just simple stuff, man."
Now, Pedroia will see the next generation get to live the life he once did (albeit with just 4,500 fans to start).
He knows the feeling of that first game of the season at Fenway Park. Now it's their turn.
"There is really nothing like it," Pedroia said. "Obviously, I have never played anywhere else but I have played at other parks enough to know that Boston is one of a kind. I went to every city multiple times over a long career and there is nothing like Fenway Park. It doesn’t matter if it is a Tuesday, Sunday or Friday. It doesn’t matter what day it is. It’s the best place on the planet to play baseball. As a player you get up for every single game. There’s nothing like it. I’m sure the few guys that haven’t been a part of being there, they are going to experience it a little bit this year because it’s not full capacity. But it’s going to be soon and when that time comes it’s a bolt of energy through you as a player."
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 31, 2021 10:28:32 GMT -5
Red Sox Opening Day ceremonies to begin at 1:40 p.m. Thursday 10:59 AM ADT
BOSTON, MA – The Red Sox will present their Opening Day Ceremonies before the commencement of their 121st home season, and their 110th at Fenway Park, this Thursday, April 1, starting at approximately 1:40 p.m. Fans attending the game are asked to be in their seats by 1:30 p.m. The club plays the Baltimore Orioles at 2:10 p.m.
Before the game, the two teams will be introduced along the base lines. With the giant American flag draped over the left field wall, Springfield native Michelle Brooks-Thompson will perform the national anthem.
The long-time tradition of a flyover on Opening Day will be maintained, but with three different aircrafts flying out of three New England states, a first for a Red Sox Opening Day ceremony. This year’s flyover will include an F-15 from Barnes Air National Guard Base in Massachusetts, an F-35 from Vermont’s Air National Guard (the Green Mountain Boys), and a Tanker plane from Pease Air National Guard Base in New Hampshire.
The singing of God Bless America in the middle of the 7th inning will be performed by the Boston Fire Department A Capella Quartet.
The Red Sox will welcome over 100 healthcare heroes to the ballpark for Opening Day. Through a partnership with Dell Technologies, 10,000 tickets will be distributed to healthcare workers throughout the 2021 season.
Red Sox Opening Day, including the ceremony, will be broadcast live on NESN beginning with their pregame show at 12:20 p.m. WEEI’s Opening Day broadcast begins at 1:10 p.m.
Fenway Park gates open two hours before the game for all fans on Opening Day (12:10 p.m.) and 1½ hours for all other regular season games.
Fans will be required to complete a health screening survey prior to entry on the day of the game, which can be found on the MLB Ballpark App. Fenway Park will be divided into five ‘neighborhood zones’, where ticket holders can access the designated gates for entry and exit nearest their seat location as labeled on their game ticket. To help reduce contact throughout the gameday experience, fans will be issued a digital ticket through MLB’s Ballpark App, and all ticket scanning will be contactless.
Fans attending games at Fenway Park can visit redsox.com/healthandsafety to review the full list of safety protocols in place at the ballpark for the start of the regular season, which currently include mandatory face coverings (except ages two and under), heightened sanitation procedures, reduced contact measures, and physical distancing. The site will be updated regularly with any changes to these protocols.
Demonstrating the organization’s commitment and adherence to high quality health and safety guidelines, Fenway Park is now a Well-Health Safety certified venue, a premier standard that validates and measures features that support and advance human health and wellness determined by the International WELL Building Institute. In addition to this new certification, the Red Sox have partnerships with three companies to help maintain Fenway Park’s high health and safety standards, including Lysol for disinfectant and cleaning supplies; Surfacide for UV-C technology UV technology that kills 99.99% of dangerous pathogens on hard surfaces; and Airocide for air purification that uses bioconversion technology developed by NASA to eliminate harmful, airborne particulates such as bacteria, mold and viruses.
Fans taking public transportation to Fenway Park should check the MBTA’s website for the latest service schedules. Fans who plan to attend evening games throughout the season should be aware of current changes to Green Line service in the evening hours on the Riverside line.
|
|