The 2023 Red Sox season is quick approaching, and greater than most years, it’s onerous to know what to anticipate.
Between the immense roster turnover (over a dozen gamers left by way of free company, commerce, or launch), rule modifications, and a schedule makeover, it’s a complete new ballgame. What a chaotic thrill.
But first, Sox Spring.
While a number of gamers are already on the membership’s spring coaching advanced in Fort Myers, Florida, spring coaching formally kicks off when pitchers and catchers report subsequent week, on Feb. 15. The first spring coaching sport is on Feb. 24.
For the primary time since 2017, the Red Sox will host and play Team Puerto Rico in a World Baseball Classic exhibition sport on March 8. Several Red Sox gamers can be becoming a member of WBC groups, together with Rafael Devers (Dominican Republic), Kiké Hernández (PR), Nick Pivetta (Canada), and newcomers Masataka Yoshida (Japan) and Richard Bleier (Israel).
Top prospect Ceddanne Rafaela is eligible to be on Team Netherlands’ roster, however reportedly isn’t enjoying within the WBC. After a breakout season in 2022, the Curaçao native was added to the 40-man roster in November and can take part in his first major-league camp.
Finally, on March 30, the Red Sox open the season at dwelling, internet hosting the Orioles for 3 video games.
Fair warning, in the event you’re somebody who watches each sport, your sleep schedule will take a success this season. The Red Sox can be in Pacific Standard Time (three hours behind) on three west coast journeys. Between May 19-28, they’re visiting the Padres, Angels, and Diamondbacks. In July, they’ll go to Oakland for 3 video games towards the A’s (17-19), and per week later, will fly again to the Bay Area to play the Giants (July 28-30), earlier than heading as much as Seattle for 3 video games towards the Mariners (July 31-Aug. 2). If they’ve any All-Stars, this 12 months’s sport can be in Seattle, on July 11.
Patriots Day 2023
Somehow, it’s already the tenth anniversary of the Boston Marathon Bombing. On April 15, 2013, two brothers positioned pressure-cooker explosives by the marathon end line on Boylston Street which killed three folks – Martin Richard (age 8), Lingzi Lu (23), Krystle Campbell (29) – and injured tons of.
In the aftermath, the 2013 Red Sox took it upon themselves to try to heal the area. To that finish, this 12 months additionally marks the 10-year anniversary of the “Boston Strong” World Series championship, the primary World Series gained at Fenway Park since 1918.
The Red Sox will maintain a ceremony earlier than their Saturday, April 15 sport, however will put on basic dwelling white uniforms, as it’s also Jackie Robinson Day for the complete league. Their yellow and blue City Connect uniforms, which honor the Boston Marathon, can be worn Friday and Sunday of that weekend. Despite some league-wide uniform modifications, the Red Sox will once more put on the BStrong jerseys, which say “Boston” on the entrance, as a substitute of “Red Sox,” for Marathon Monday/Patriots Day on April 17.
A balanced schedule
The most notable distinction this 12 months, and for years to come back, is that interleague play is growing. Under the brand new Collective Bargaining Agreement, finalized final March after a 99-day lockout, MLB has a balanced schedule for the primary time since 2000.
Gone are the times of ready years for the Cubs to come back to Boston, or for the Red Sox to go to San Diego; when interleague play started in 1997, it was initially restricted to 15-18 video games per group. This 12 months, every group will play 46 interleague video games (up from 20 final 12 months).
With a minimum of one collection towards every of their 29 fellows, the Red Sox are set to sq. off towards a number of outdated buddies. Rich Hill and Christian Vázquez come to Fenway first, with the Pirates (April 3-5) and Twins (April 18-20), respectively.
Rafael Devers and Xander Bogaerts will reunite and face off in San Diego (May 19-21).
Matt Barnes advised reporters he’s bought the Marlins’ journey to Boston (June 27-29) circled on his calendar.
The Rangers will convey Nathan Eovaldi (and Jacob deGrom) to Boston in early July (4-6), and the Red Sox go to Texas in September (18-20).
Three years after being traded to the Dodgers, Mookie Betts will return to Fenway for 3 video games in August (25-27). JD Martinez can be with him; he has a 1-year contract with LA.
Divisional play
In order to accommodate the considerably extra various schedule, one thing needed to be trimmed. After twenty years of going through their American League East foes 19 instances (six collection) apiece within the common season, the Red Sox solely play 13 video games (4 collection) towards every division rival this 12 months. This contains seven dwelling video games and 6 highway video games towards the Blue Jays and Yankees, and 7 highway video games and 6 dwelling video games towards the Orioles and Rays.
The discount comes one season too late for the Red Sox, who eked out a 10-9 file towards the Orioles however went 6-13 towards the Yankees, 7-12 towards the Rays, and 3-16 towards the Blue Jays final 12 months.
This season, the Rivalry doesn’t kick off till the Red Sox go to the Bronx on June 9. Get your Yankees tickets now; the Yankees solely come to Boston June 16-18 and Sept. 11-14. June 18 would be the Red Sox’ solely ESPN Sunday Night Baseball look this 12 months.
Will a smaller slate of video games re-heat the Rivalry? Next 12 months marks 20 years since that historic ALCS.
Toughest stretch
Late August appears just like the Red Sox’ hardest stretch: they’ll must face the Yankees (18-20) and Astros (21-24) on the highway, then return dwelling to host the Dodgers (25-27) and the Astros (28-30). Including a 3-game set towards the Nationals in DC (15-17), the Red Sox play 16 video games between days off on the 14th and thirty first. The solely longer stretch with out a break is the 19 consecutive video games they’ll play between April 8-26.
A 162-game season is a marathon, not a dash, and the Red Sox might want to tempo themselves. They solely have two off days in April (7, 27), however a minimum of three in every of the remaining months of the season.
Key spring coaching dates:
- Feb. 15: Pitchers and catchers report
- Feb. 18: JetBlue Park Open House for followers
- Feb. 20: First full-squad exercise
- Feb. 24: Annual exhibition sport vs. Northeastern Huskies
- Feb. 25: First spring coaching sport
- March 8: Exhibition sport vs. Team Puerto Rico earlier than World Baseball Classic
- March 28: Final spring coaching sport
Key 2023 regular-season dates:
- March 30: Opening Day vs. Orioles (Fenway)
- April 15: Jackie Robinson Day (All MLB), tenth anniversary of Boston Marathon Bombing
- April 17: Patriots Day (Fenway)
- May 14: Mother’s Day (Fenway)
- June 2: Lou Gehrig Day (All MLB)
- June 18: Father’s Day, ESPN Sunday Night Baseball (Fenway)
- July 10-13: All-Star break (Seattle hosts the 2023 All-Star Game on July 11)
- Sept. 15: Roberto Clemente day (All MLB)
- Sept. 27: Final dwelling sport
- Oct. 1: Game 162 @ Orioles
Key 2023 MLB postseason dates:
- Oct. 3: Postseason begins
- Nov. 4: World Series Game 7 (If vital)
Source: www.bostonherald.com