Not only are the Boston Red Sox back…. but they appear to be once again Back on Track. After the first week of exciting regular season action the Red Sox, are perched atop the AL East Division with an overall record of 5 Wins and 2 Losses. That’s a winning percentage of .714.
The Red Sox started this 2015 season on the road in Philadelphia. Clay Buchholz was the Opening Day starter and dazzled the Red Sox Faithful by pitching masterfully for seven innings…. surrendering no runs, striking out 9, and walking only one. Manager John Farrell must have had a huge sigh of relief after this performance as Buchholz is expected to anchor the staff as the #1 starter while the other pitchers (Miley, Masterson, Kelly,Porcello and Workman) carefully ease into their starting pitcher roles to complete the staff. Many are also expecting trades to pick up a proven starter like a Cole Hamels. However, on this Opening Day Buchholz showed that he was the better Number 1 starter in picking up the win 8-0! Dustin Pedroia and Hanley Ramirez hit homeruns in the victory with Hanley Ramiorez showing he will be a force…. even hitting a Grand Slam to close the door on any rallies by the Phillies. Red Sox Nation was quite pleased with this impressive win.
After taking 2 out of 3 in the opening road series…. the Red Sox travelled up north to face the Yankees. They would again take 2 out of three as the bats of the veterans started to wake up. Victorino, Ortiz, and Napoli showed that despite injuries they can still contribute with their steady play. The Yankees were befuddled by this strong 2015 Red Sox team and upset in their own stadium losing the series while barely getting a win. The Red Sox know they have to subdue the Yankees and the Orioles if they want any chance of winning the AL Pennant. So Far So Good!
Finally, our Heroes…. the Boston Red Sox made their way back to Boston’s Fenway Park for the Home Opener. Red Sox Legends Pedro Martinez, David Ortiz, and Patriots QB Tom Brady hung out before the Opener with Pedro even throwing batting practice to former baseball player Brady! The 3 Red Sox World series Championship Trophies were displayed along with the recent Patriot’s Super Bowl on the storied Fenway Park Field. In a great way to start the season Tom Brady was invited to throw out the First Pitch. Brady inadvertently through a slider that one hopped in front of the plate with a bounce…. but of course…. acting as Catcher Big David Ortiz helped him save face by scooping it up before it could escape to the back stop. The crowd chuckled knowing Tom Brady is definitely more suited to throwing footballs. Nevertheless David Ortiz congratulated Brady with one of his now trademarked Big Papi hugs.
The Red Sox then played ball against the Washington Nationals in what would turn out to be another spectacular game. Rick Porcello made his pitching debut with the Boston Ballclub and enjoyed a wonderful amount of run support. The Red Sox would go on to win 9-4. With Ortiz chipping in a HR while 22-Year Old CF Mookie Betts put on what looked like a Baseball skills clinic….. Stealing 2 consecutive bases, Homering again, and even defensively robbing an important comeback HR while playing a solid Centerfield. On an amazing team of athletes Mookie Betts looks to be another incredible everyday player that will make the team better. And did I mention that RP Koji Uehara was activated again from the diasabled list on Monday April 13? This means when the Red Sox aren’t winning by wide margins they will once again have one of the best closers of the past few seasons. The future looks bright indeed for the these 2015 Boston Red Sox as they continue their quest for another Pennant.