2016 Boston Red Sox (est. 2016)

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News flash!

After a very long search, Boston has chosen first-timer Nick Malone to be their manager. They have also announced their Opening Day roster.

Boston Opening Day Roster:

Rotation:

1. David Price
2. Clay Buchholz
3. Eduardo Rodriguez
4. Rick Porcello
5. Joe Kelly

Bullpen:

Closer: Craig Kimbrel
Set-up Men: Carson Smith, Junichi Tazawa
Middle Relief: Koji Uehara, Steven Wright, Tommy Layne, Robbie Ross Jr.

Lineup vs.R:

Mookie Betts CF
Dustin Pedroia 2B
Xander Bogaerts SS
David Ortiz DH
Hanley Ramirez 1B
David Murphy RF
Blake Swihart C
Jackie Bradley Jr. LF
Brock Holt 3B

Lineup vs.L:

Mookie Betts CF
Dustin Pedroia 2B
Xander Bogaerts SS
David Ortiz DH
Hanley Ramirez 1B
Chris Young RF
Brock Holt 3B
Blake Swihart C
Jackie Bradley Jr. LF

Bench:

Ryan Hanigan
Pablo Sandoval
Josh Rutledge
David Murphy/Chris Young

Boston predicted record: 73-89

Top Boston prospects:

1. Yoan Moncada
2. Anderson Espinoza
3. Wendell Rijo
4. Andrew Benintendi
5. Sean Coyle
6. Teddy Stankiewicz
7. Devon Fisher
8. Sam Travis
9. Edwin Escobar
10. Roldani Baldwin

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April 4

Cleveland took an early lead with a Rajai Davis homer on the first pitch of the season, but Boston took the lead with a homer of their own by David Ortiz in the fourth. The lead was padded by a ninth inning homer by Blake Swihart. In the end, Boston won 7-3.

Win: David Price (1-0)
Loss: Corey Kluber (0-1)
Home Runs: David Ortiz (1), Blake Swihart (1), Rajai Davis (1)
RBIs: Xander Bogaerts (1), David Ortiz 3 (3), Blake Swihart 3 (3), Rajai Davis (1), Yan Gomes (1), Juan Uribe (1)
Player of the game: David Price



April 6

Clay Buchholz pitched a decent game, but he was outdueled thanks to Carlos Carrasco pitching a complete game. Cleveland first scored a run in the first inning thanks to a homer by Francisco Lindor, and managed to score 5 runs off Buchholz, as opposed to only 1 against Carrasco.

Win: Carlos Carrasco (1-0)
Loss: Clay Buchholz (0-1)
Home Runs: Francisco Lindor 2 (2)
RBIs: Chris Young (1), Francisco Lindor 3 (3), Carlos Santana (1), Juan Uribe (2)
Player of the Game: Carlos Carrasco



April 7

Not a good day for Boston. Eduardo Rodriguez lost in another pitching duel, with Danny Salazar, Dan Otero, and Cody Allen combining for a 2-hit shutout. Lonnie Chisenhall drove in the game-winning run by hitting a double to drive in Jason Kipnis, and the Indians won easily 2-0.

Win: Danny Salazar (1-0)
Loss: Eduardo Rodriguez (0-1)
Save: Cody Allen (1)
RBIs: Lonnie Chisenhall (1), Yan Gomes (2)
Player of the Game: Danny Salazar



April 8

The Red Sox get shut out again, thanks to a combined effort by Marcus Stroman, Brett Cecil, and Roberto Osuna. The game hung in the balance until the fourth, when Jose Bautista hit a home run, and the Jays never looked back. In the end, they won 4-0.

Win: Marcus Stroman (1-0)
Loss: Rick Porcello (0-1)
Home runs: Jose Bautista (2)
RBIs: Josh Donaldson (3), Jose Bautista 2 (4), Troy Tulowitzki (1)
Player of the Game: Marcus Stroman



April 9

The Red Sox came back, and they came back big. This time, they were on the winning side of a shutout by Joe Kelly and Carson Smith, as RA Dickey fell behind quickly thanks to David Murphy hitting a grand slam in the first inning. The Sawx eventually added 2 runs, and Kelly only gave up 8 hits. Final score: 6-0.

Win: Joe Kelly (1-0)
Loss: RA Dickey (0-2)
Home Runs: David Murphy (1)
RBIs: Dustin Pedroia (1), Xander Bogaerts (2), David Murphy 4 (4)
Player of the Game: Joe Kelly



April 10

This was a very, very painful loss. Boston jumped into the lead early with a two-run homer by David Ortiz, but Toronto tied it in the third, and took the lead with a Russell Martin homer in the fourth. Boston took the lead once again thanks to a Blake Swihart homer in the 6th. In the bottom of the ninth, Boston held a two run lead, but Marlon Byrd drove in the game-winning run off Craig Kimbrel. In the bottom of the tenth, Kimbrel loaded the bases, but on the eighth pitch of the at-bat, in Justin Morneau's Toronto debut, Kimbrel gave ball four. Final score: 9-8 Toronto.

Win: Aaron Sanchez (1-0)
Loss: Craig Kimbrel (0-1)
Home Runs: David Ortiz (2), Blake Swihart (2), Hanley Ramirez (1), Kevin Pillar (1), Russell Martin (1)
RBIs: Mookie Betts (1), David Ortiz 2 (5), Hanley Ramirez 2 (2), Blake Swihart 3 (6), Kevin Pillar (1), Troy Tulowitzki (2), Josh Donaldson (4), Justin Morneau (1), Russell Martin 3 (3), Marlon Byrd (1), Justin Smoak (1)
Player of the Game: Edwin Encarnacion

Current record: 2-4, 2 GB
Top batters: Blake Swihart, David Ortiz, Hanley Ramirez, David Murphy, Jackie Bradley Jr.
Top pitchers: Eduardo Rodriguez, Carson Smith, Rick Porcello, Tommy Layne, Joe Kelly

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April 11

The Boston home opener was yet another painful loss. Boston jumped out to a 4 run lead in the first, but by the third, Baltimore had tied the game at 5. Each team scored a run in the 7th, before a David Ortiz home run finally gave Boston the lead in the 8th. But in the top of the 9th, Baltimore rallied thanks to Steven Wright, Koji Uehara, and an error that would lead to two runs being scored. Matt Wieters batted in the tying run, and pinch hitter Ryan Flaherty took the lead for the O's. David Murphy was also injured catching a Jonathan Schoop liner. Murphy was placed on the 15-day DL, leading to the callup of Rusney Castillo.

Win: Kevin Gausman (2-0)
Loss: Steven Wright (0-1)
Home Runs: David Ortiz (3), Mookie Betts (1), Jonathan Schoop (2)
RBIs: Mookie Betts (2), Xander Bogaerts 2 (4), David Ortiz (6), Ryan Hanigan 2 (2), Jonathan Schoop 3 (8), Manny Machado (4), Mark Trumbo 2 (8), Pedro Alvarez (5), Matt Wieters (3), Ryan Flaherty (2)
Player of the Game: Jonathan Schoop

Transactions: David Murphy (OF) placed on 15-day disabled list
Rusney Castillo (OF) called up to MLB



April 12

Another horrible loss for the BoSox. At first, the game was a pitching duel, but Chris Tillman was injured in the fifth inning, forcing Baltimore to turn to the bullpen. Eduardo Rodriguez, meanwhile, almost went 9 innings before being replaced by Robbie Ross Jr. Baltimore had a 1 run lead early, but Xander Bogaerts tied it up in the sixth. Baltimore got another run before Blake Swihart tied it up again the next inning. The game went into extras, with the only true close call being in the Baltimore half of the eleventh, until the thirteenth inning. Although runners were on the corners, Tommy Layne was one out away from keeping Baltimore off the scoreboard. However, it was then that Jonathan Schoop singled in Matt Wieters to take the lead, and if that wasn't enough, two more runs followed to give Baltimore a 5-2 lead. Boston had two runners in scoring position in their half of the thirteenth, but the game was ended by a Chris Young groundout.

Win: Brian Matusz (1-0)
Loss: Steven Wright (0-2)
Save: Darren O'Day (1)
Home Runs: Pedro Alvarez (2)
RBIs: Xander Bogaerts (5), Blake Swihart (7), Jonathan Schoop (9), Manny Machado 2 (6), Pedro Alvarez (6)
Player of the Game: Eduardo Rodriguez



April 13

Yet. Another. Loss. Pedro Alvarez opened up the scoring for Baltimore in the second, with runs added on by Dariel Alvarez and Chris Davis, and before long, Baltimore had a six-run lead. Bradley Jr. and Ortiz both homered, but it was too little, too late, as Baltimore won it 6-4.

Win: Ubaldo Jimenez (1-0)
Loss: Rick Porcello (0-2)
Save: Vance Worley (3)
Home Runs: David Ortiz (4), Jackie Bradley Jr. (1), Chris Davis (4)
RBIs: David Ortiz 2 (8), Jackie Bradley Jr. 2 (2), Chris Davis 3 (10), Pedro Alvarez (7), Dariel Alvarez 2 (4)
Player of the Game: Ubaldo Jimenez



April 14

There was no game on this day, but there was a controversial trade. Boston traded prospects Anderson Espinoza and Deven Marrero to Colorado for catcher Dustin Garneau. Marrero is now reportedly Colorado's starting shortstop. Blake Swihart was subsequently sent down to the minors, reportedly with intent to convert him to first base or the outfield. Needless to say, the move created quite a bit of shock among Boston Red Sox fans, because of both the trading away of Espinoza and the demotion of Swihart.

Transactions: Anderson Espinoza (P) traded to Colorado Rockies
Deven Marrero (SS) traded to Colorado Rockies
Dustin Garneau (C) traded to Boston Red Sox
Blake Swihart (C) demoted to AAA Pawtucket



April 15

Boston seems to have finally got back into the groove. Although they fell behind Toronto early due to a Justin Morneau homer, Boston rallied for six runs in the third inning, capped off by a David Ortiz homer. Toronto managed to bring down the difference to just one run, and came close to rallying in both the eighth and the ninth, but any chances were halted by outs by Troy Tulowitzki and Russell Martin, respectively.

Win: David Price (2-0)
Loss: RA Dickey (0-3)
Save: Robbie Ross Jr. (1)
Home Runs: David Ortiz (5), Dustin Pedroia (1), Chris Young (1), Josh Donaldson (3), Troy Tulowitzki (1), Justin Morneau (1)
RBIs: David Ortiz 3 (11), Xander Bogaerts 2 (7), Dustin Pedroia 2 (3), Dustin Garneau (8), Hanley Ramirez (3), Chris Young (2), Justin Morneau 5 (6), Josh Donaldson 2 (7), Edwin Encarnacion (4), Troy Tulowitzki (3)
Player of the Game: Edwin Encarnacion



April 16

The Boston offense exploded once again. A fifth-inning rally led by Jackie Bradley Jr. and Chris Young created a Boston win, 9-2. Two of Toronto's biggest chances, in the first and fifth, were both squandered by Josh Donaldson hitting into double plays. Clay Buchholz threw a complete game, only giving up 2 runs on 7 hits and 115 pitches.

Win: Clay Buchholz (1-1)
Loss: Jesse Chavez (0-2)
Home Runs: Jackie Bradley Jr (2), Chris Young (2), Troy Tulowitzki (2)
RBIs: Chris Young 3 (5), Dustin Pedroia 2 (5), Jackie Bradley Jr 2 (4), Mookie Betts (3), Brock Holt (1), Troy Tulowitzki 2 (5)
Player of the Game: Chris Young



April 17

Boston has done it again; they have stared at the odds and laughed in their face. Boston ran to an early lead thanks to a Hanley Ramirez homer, but Toronto took back the lead in the fourth inning with a rally led by Troy Tulowitzki. The odds only looked worse after a Russell Martin homer in the fifth. However, in the bottom half of the fifth, Pablo Sandoval, coming off the bench after the controversial decision by Nick Malone to make Brock Holt the starter at the hot corner, drove in the game-tying run. In a particularly strange mishap, backup first baseman Justin Smoak pitched the final 3.1 innings due to bullpen fatigue. As a result, in the seventh, the Sox loaded the bases, and Chris Young drew a walk, leading to the game winning run, and beginning a brief rally. In the end, Boston won 11-8.

Win: Robbie Ross Jr. (1-0)
Loss: Justin Smoak (0-1)
Save: Craig Kimbrel (1)
Home Runs: Hanley Ramirez (2), Russell Martin (3)
RBIs: Mookie Betts 3 (6), Hanley Ramirez 3 (6), Pablo Sandoval 3 (3), Chris Young (6), Russell Martin 3 (9), Troy Tulowitzki 2 (7), Josh Donaldson (8), Justin Morneau (7), Ryan Goins (2)
Player of the Game: Pablo Sandoval



Current record: 5-7, 2.5 GB
Top hitters: David Ortiz, Hanley Ramirez, (Blake Swihart), Jackie Bradley Jr, Chris Young, Dustin Pedroia
Top pitchers: Eduardo Rodriguez, Clay Buchholz, Rick Porcello, Joe Kelly, Carson Smith

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April 18

The Red Sox have swept Toronto in four games. For quite a while, this game was a pitching duel between Eduardo Rodriguez and Marco Estrada, until Toronto rallied in the seventh thanks to Justin Morneau and Domonic Brown. However, in the bottom of the 8th, the Sox scored 6 runs, with pinch hitter Dustin Garneau driving in Ryan Hanigan and Pablo Sandoval to take the lead. The final score ended up being 8-4 Boston.

Win: Steven Wright (1-2)
Loss: Drew Hutchison (1-2)
Home Runs: Russell Martin (4)
RBIs: Dustin Garneau 2 (10), Mookie Betts 2 (8), Jackie Bradley Jr (5), Pablo Sandoval (4), Brock Holt (2), Domonic Brown 2 (2), Russell Martin (10), Justin Morneau (8)
Player of the Game: Eduardo Rodriguez



April 19

Boston has been felled by Tampa Bay. Boston held an early lead, but Tampa Bay took it away with a Steven Souza homer. David Ortiz tied it up with a home run, but Logan Morrison took the lead again with a homer of his own. The Red Sox almost rallied at one point in the sixth before Brock Holt was doubled off. Final score: 11-5 Tampa Bay.

Win: Drew Smyly (3-0)
Loss: Rick Porcello (0-3)
Home Runs: David Ortiz (6), Xander Bogaerts (1), Steven Souza Jr 2 (2), Logan Morrison (3), Steve Pearce (3)
RBIs: Xander Bogaerts 2 (9), David Ortiz (12), Chris Young (7), Brock Holt (3), Steve Pearce 3 (10), Steven Souza Jr 3 (3), Logan Morrison 2 (9), Logan Forsythe 2 (6), Nick Franklin (2)
Player of the Game: Steven Souza Jr



April 20

We have a walk-off win. Jackie Bradley Jr's home run took the lead for Boston in the second, and Boston eventually took a 3-0 lead before Rene Rivera tied it up in the fifth. It stayed tied the whole time, a Rays rally narrowly avoided, until Mookie Betts drove in Pablo Sandoval, who is gradually getting more playing time.

Win: Steven Wright (2-2)
Loss: Ryan Webb (1-2)
Home Runs: Jackie Bradley Jr (3), Rene Rivera (2), Taylor Motter (1)
RBIs: Jackie Bradley Jr 2 (7), Mookie Betts (9), Hanley Ramirez (7), Brad Miller (11), Rene Rivera (4), Taylor Motter (1)
Player of the Game: David Price



April 21

I suppose it's been proven that what goes around comes around. In the third inning, Brock Holt drove in Dustin Garneau, but then Evan Longoria drove in Brandon Guyer in the sixth. The game stayed tied like this until the eleventh, when Steve Pearce hit a two-run single, ruining a brilliant start by Clay Buchholz.

Win: Ryan Webb (2-2)
Loss: Steven Wright (2-3)
Save: Steve Geltz (2)
RBIs: Brock Holt (4), Steve Pearce 2 (12), Evan Longoria (9)
Player of the Game: Chris Archer



April 22

In Boston's first journey out of the division, another late-inning loss. Joe Kelly had only given up one run to the Astros, until the seventh inning. It was then that Jimmy Rollins (claimed on waivers) and Matt Adams (received in a trade) both hit, and hit big. By the end of the eighth, Houston had scored eight runs, while Boston had only scored twice, as Collin McHugh pitched a complete game.

Win: Collin McHugh (1-3)
Loss: Joe Kelly (1-1)
Home Runs: Hanley Ramirez (3), Matt Adams (5), Carlos Correa (3), Jimmy Rollins (1)
RBIs: Mookie Betts (10), Hanley Ramirez (8), Matt Adams 4 (14), Carlos Correa 2 (12), Jose Altuve (6), Jimmy Rollins (2)
Player of the Game: Collin McHugh

--In milestone related news, AJ Pierzynski also got hit 2000 today, a single off of Hansel Robles.--



April 23

Boston had a 5 run lead early, but Houston tied it up in the seventh. Shortly after, however, in the top of the ninth, pinch hitter Ryan Hanigan homered to give the Red Sox up, 6-5. Two consecutive errors (by Bogaerts and Pedroia) and a groundout put runners on second and third for the Astros, but nothing came of it.

Win: Eduardo Rodriguez (1-1)
Loss: Neal Cotts (0-1)
Save: Koji Uehara (1)
Home Runs: Ryan Hanigan (1), Luis Valbuena (4)
RBIs: Chris Young 3 (10), Hanley Ramirez 2 (10), Ryan Hanigan (3), Luis Valbuena 4 (14), Carlos Correa (13)
Player of the Game: Luis Valbuena



April 24

In the rubber game against the Astros, the Boston offense faltered. Dan Straily and Luke Gregerson combined for a 2-hit shutout on only 108 pitches, while Rick Porcello gave up 5 runs (4 earned) in 7 innings. The Houston lead truly became insurmountable in the fifth, when trade acquisition Martin Maldonado hit a home run. Carlos Gomez' 3 RBIs didn't help either. Interestingly, Boston's two hits were by Ryan Hanigan (.231) and Brock Holt (.224).

Win: Dan Straily (1-2)
Loss: Rick Porcello (0-4)
Home Runs: Martin Maldonado (1)
RBIs: Carlos Gomez 3 (5), Martin Maldonado (2)
Player of the Game: Dan Straily

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April 25

Boston goes into their first interleague series against Atlanta. However, the first game didn't work out so much. Both David Price and Bud Norris gave disappointing starts, but Tommy Layne ended up giving up what turned out to be the decisive runs. Although Dustin Garneau made the Red Sox have a possible chance with a homer, Adonis Garcia hit it out of the park twice to give the Braves a 9-5 win. The good news was that David Murphy returned from the DL after the game.

Win: Bud Norris (1-2)
Loss: David Price (2-1)
Home Runs: David Ortiz (7), Dustin Garneau (2), Rusney Castillo (1), Adonis Garcia 2 (3), Freddie Freeman (3), Tyler Flowers (1)
RBIs: Dustin Garneau 2 (12), Rusney Castillo 2 (2), David Ortiz (13), Adonis Garcia 4 (8), Tyler Flowers 3 (6), Freddie Freeman (18), Erick Aybar (6)
Player of the game: Adonis Garcia

Transactions: David Murphy returns from 15-day DL
Rusney Castillo demoted to AAA Pawtucket



April 26

Yet another disappointing game for the Boston offense. Manny Banuelos, Jim Johnson, and Shae Simmons combined for a shutout, and Erick Aybar hit a three-run homer to take the lead permanently. On the bright side, both Koji Uehara and Steven Wright pitched two shut-out innings, with Uehara not allowing any baserunners, and Josh Rutledge went 1 for 4 in his 2016 debut.

Win: Manny Banuelos (2-1)
Loss: Clay Buchholz (1-2)
Home Runs: Erick Aybar (2)
RBIs: Erick Aybar 3 (9), Adonis Garcia (9), Nick Markakis (7)
Player of the Game: Manny Banuelos

--In milestone related news, Mark Teixeira also hit his 400th home run today off of Tom Wilhelmsen.--



April 27

Another exciting game, and this time, Boston was on the right side. Boston fell behind in the fifth inning thanks to an Adonis Garcia triple, but came back in the seventh and eighth innings with clutch home runs by Brock Holt, David Ortiz, and Justin Garneau. Dustin Pedroia and Mookie Betts were benched from the starting lineup, and although Chris Young considerably cooled down, Josh Rutledge went 1 for 3 before being replaced by Betts.

Win: Robbie Ross Jr (2-0)
Loss: Arodys Vizcaino (1-1)
Save: Craig Kimbrel (2)
Home Runs: David Ortiz (8), Dustin Garneau (3), Brock Holt (1)
RBIs: David Ortiz (14), Dustin Garneau (13), Hanley Ramirez (11), Mookie Betts (11), Brock Holt (5), Adonis Garcia 2 (11), Erick Aybar 2 (11)



April 28

The Red Sox worked their late-inning magic once again. In the fourth, an Erick Aybar double gave Atlanta the lead, but Dustin Garneau and David Murphy sparked rallies in the sixth and seventh, with Murphy doubling in the game-tying and game-winning runs.

Win: Steven Wright (3-3)
Loss: Jhoulys Chacin (0-4)
Home Runs: David Ortiz (9), Dustin Garneau (4), Nick Markakis (4)
RBIs: David Murphy 4 (8), David Ortiz (15), Dustin Garneau (14), Jackie Bradley Jr (8), Erick Aybar 2 (13), Adonis Garcia (12), Nick Markakis (8)
Player of the Game: David Murphy



April 29

The Red Sox late inning magic continues. Hanley Ramirez gave Boston an early lead, but Starlin Castro led a Yanks rally in the eighth to tie it up. In the bottom half of the inning, however, Pablo Sandoval drove in two runs to give the Red Sox a 7-5 lead, and Craig Kimbrel pitched a flawless ninth inning.

Win: Robbie Ross Jr. (3-0)
Loss: Arquimedes Caminero (0-3)
Save: Craig Kimbrel (3)
Home Runs: Hanley Ramirez (4)
RBIs: Hanley Ramirez 3 (14), Pablo Sandoval 2 (6), David Ortiz (16), Chris Young (11), Starlin Castro 2 (8), Aaron Hicks (13), Chris Parmelee (9), Dustin Ackley (7)
Player of the Game: Hanley Ramirez



April 30

The Red Sox never truly stood a chance in this game. New York had a 3-run lead from the 1st inning on, and no matter what the Red Sox tried, Nathan Eovaldi stopped it. CC Sabathia, Chasen Shreve, and Andrew Miller combined for three flawless innings in relief, and the final result was a 7-3 New York win.

Win: Nathan Eovaldi (4-0)
Loss: David Price (2-2)
RBIs: Mookie Betts 2 (13), Ryan Hanigan (4), Mark Teixeira 4 (18), Aaron Hicks (14), Starlin Castro (9), Dustin Ackley (8)
Player of the Game: Mark Teixeira

AWARDS:

Batters of the Month: Mike Trout (LAA), Bryce Harper (WAS)
Pitchers of the Month: Sonny Gray (OAK), Max Scherzer (WAS)
Rookies of the Month: Dustin Garneau (BOS), Corey Seager (LAD)

Transactions:

Brandon Workman returns from 60-day DL
Robbie Ross Jr. demoted to AAA Pawtucket



May 1

Boston took a two-run lead in the third inning, and kept it for quite a while. However, an excellent Clay Buchholz start was ruined when Brandon Workman gave up five runs. Boston never recovered. Workman was subsequently demoted to AAA.

Win: James Pazos (1-0)
Loss: Brandon Workman (0-1)
Save: Andrew Miller (5)
Home Runs: Mookie Betts (2), Brian McCann (2)
RBIs: Dustin Garneau (15), Mookie Betts (14), Dustin Pedroia (6), Brian McCann 5 (7), Dustin Ackley (9)
Player of the Game: Brian McCann

Transactions: Brandon Workman devoted to AAA Pawtucket
Anthony Varvaro promoted to MLB Boston



Standings:

Baltimore (15-10)
Tampa Bay (13-12)
New York AL (11-13)
Boston (11-15)
Toronto (9-17)

Detroit (14-11)
Kansas City (12-10)
Cleveland (13-11)
Chicago AL (12-15)
Minnesota (11-14)

Houston (15-10)
Texas (15-11)
Oakland (14-12)
Los Angeles AL (11-14)
Seattle (10-14)

Washington (19-6)
New York NL (13-9)
Atlanta (11-14)
Miami (7-18)
Philadelphia (7-18)

Chicago NL (18-7)
Pittsburgh (15-11)
St. Louis (14-11)
Cincinnati (11-14)
Milwaukee (10-15)

Los Angeles NL (15-11)
San Francisco (15-11)
San Diego (14-11)
Arizona (11-16)
Colorado (10-15)