Boston Red Sox: We finally made it to opening day
By Ben Porter
Today marks the beginning of the 2018 MLB season. The Boston Red Sox open the year in Tampa Bay, where they’ll take on the Rays at 4:10pm ET.
Well folks, we made it. We finally made it to Opening Day. So make sure your cable is working, your favorite pillow is fluffed, and you have enough snacks to last you the night. Go ahead, treat yourself to a 6-pack of your favorite beer, because the Boston Red Sox play tonight.
There are so many things to look forward to. The emergence of Rafael Devers as a perennial slugger, J.D. Martinez peppering the bullpen in right field at Fenway, and the triumphant return of David Price to the hill. I’ve said some negative things about Mr. Price in the past, but I’m ready to root for him in 2018.
Andrew Benintendi is back with a new haircut and ready to launch balls into outer space, JBJ is getting his arm registered with the Massachusetts Firearms Services so he doesn’t get charged with a felony, and Mookie Betts is hoping to become the first 30/30 guy on the Red Sox since Jacoby Ellsbury in 2011.
Alex Cora is set to make his managerial debut, and expectations could not be higher. He’s already set the Opening Day lineup, and things are looking pretty good if I do say so myself.
What we know of the 2018 Red Sox opening day lineup via Alex Cora:
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) March 28, 2018
1. Mookie Betts
2. Andrew Benintendi
3. Hanley Ramirez
4. J.D. Martinez
5. Xander Bogaerts
6. TBD Nunez or Devers
7. TBD Nunez or Devers
8. Jackie Bradley Jr.
9. Christian Vazquez
Chris Sale on the mound.
And finally, you can’t forget two of the most dominant pitchers in the MLB. Chris Sale, fresh off a 313 strikeout season, is chomping at the bit to get even better, and Craig Kimbrel won’t settle for fewer than 18 K’s per 9 innings pitched.
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Look at me. I’m getting way ahead of myself. Deep breaths, Ben, deep breaths.
Okay, now that I’ve calmed myself down, it’s time to lock in mentally. The MLB season, though beloved and captivating, is long and arduous. 162 games is no walk in the park, and we as fans have to stay focused. For every game we miss, there’s a drunk Yankees fan wearing an unbuttoned jersey and gold chain smiling. We can’t let that happen.
So here’s the pledge that I request of you, Red Sox nation. Hold your fellow fan accountable. Support the team in times good and times bad. When Rick Porcello gives up a 700 foot home run to Giancarlo Stanton, have faith that our dynamic offense can answer.
The Red Sox have won back to back division titles, and I’d like to make that three in a row. If the Yankees want the AL East, they’re going to have to rip it out of Ted William’s cold, dead, cryogenically frozen hands.
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It’s going to be a fun season, and it all starts tonight. Let’s go Sox!