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Boston Red Sox vs Pittsburgh Pirates April 3-6 Series Preview

By Logan Jakubajtys

Sep 22, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox outfielders Andrew Benintendi (left) Jackie Bradley, Jr. (center) and Mookie Betts (right) celebrate after beating the Baltimore Orioles 5-3 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 22, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox outfielders Andrew Benintendi (left) Jackie Bradley, Jr. (center) and Mookie Betts (right) celebrate after beating the Baltimore Orioles 5-3 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
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Opening Day is finally here for the Boston Red Sox as they open the 2017 campaign in an interleague matchup with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

A three-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates opens up the 2017 season for the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

After a spring training that seemed to take an eternity, it’s finally time for meaningful baseball games. The Red Sox will look to improve upon their 2016 season in which they won the AL East with 93 games but fell to the Cleveland Indians in the ALDS.

Let’s take a look at how the Red Sox and Pirates matchup for 2017’s first three games.

Pitching Matchups

Monday, April 3rd at 2:05 PM: Rick Porcello vs Gerrit Cole

Wednesday, April 5th at 7:10 PM: Chris Sale vs Jameson Taillon

Thursday, April 6th at 1:35 PM: Eduardo Rodriguez vs Chad Khul

This series should be interesting from a pitching standpoint. Reigning AL Cy Young award winner Rick Porcello is the Opening Day starter and will face off against Pittsburgh’s best in Gerrit Cole. Pretty Ricky was phenomenal at Fenway Park in 2016, where he went 13-1 with a 2.97 ERA in 16 starts. Chris Sale, an ace and the Opening Day starter on any other team, will pitch in game 2 with a clear advantage over Taillon. ERod gets the ball for the final game in the series with David Price on the DL, and he will need to make the most of each pitching opportunity if he wants to remain in the rotation when Price returns.

Key Players

Red Sox: Mookie Betts, RF

2016: .318 batting average, 122 runs, 31 home runs, 113 RBI, 26 steals

Rightfielder Mookie Betts is looking for another MVP-like season. While he came in 2nd for the award last year, it’s his to claim in 2017. Betts is also a phenomenal fielder, and he won his first Gold Glove in 2016. Betts is solidified in the middle of Boston’s lineup and he’ll need to produce in the Red Sox first season without David Ortiz.

Pirates: Starling Marte, LF

2016: .311 batting average, 46 RBI, 9 home runs, 47 steals

Starling Marte is a difference maker on the base paths, as shown by his 47 steals in 2016. Marte has stolen 30 or more bases in each of the last four seasons and likely will again. The Red Sox pitchers and catchers will need to pay attention to him anytime he finds a way on base.

Opening Series Notes

More from Boston Red Sox

Mitch Moreland will play at first base on Opening Day after battling back from the flu. Steve Selsky who earned the final roster spot will be ready to go if Moreland can’t hang in there.

Hanley Ramirez is beginning his first full season as the designated hitter, replacing legend David Ortiz.

  • The Red Sox acquired Brock Holt in a 2012 trade with the Pirates that sent former closer Mark Melancon to Pittsburgh. Holt isn’t expected to start on Opening Day, but if he makes an appearance at any point in this series it will be the first time he’s faced off against the team that selected him in the 9th round of the 2009 draft.
  • These franchise faced off in the 1903 World Series as the Boston Americans defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates five games to three in a best-of-nine series. Boston won the final four games of the series to claim the title.

    • NESN’s Tom Caron Takes Us Inside Fenway Park

    Next: 2017 Boston Red Sox Preview

    Chowder and Champions will aim to preview every Boston Red Sox series this season, deep into October.

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