BOSTON RED SOX NOTES:
STATE OF THE SOX: The Red Sox were swept in a 3-game series vs. PIT from Monday-Wednesday after winning 2 of 3 games vs. BAL in their opening series. Beginning with the 2nd inning on Monday vs. PIT, the Sox have been held scoreless in 23 of their last 26 offensive innings (3 total runs) after scoring in 9 of their previous 12 turns to bat (18 total runs).
SOX & TIGERS: Today will mark the first meeting of 2023 between the Red Sox and Tigers, as well as the Sox’ 1st road game of the season. BOS went 5-1 vs. DET in 2022, winning 2 of 3 games at Comerica Park from 4/11-13 and sweeping a 3-game series at Fenway Park from 6/20-22.
The Sox lead the all-time series vs. DET, 1,053-981, including a 44-37 mark at Comerica Park…They are 17-8 vs. DET since the start of 2018.
ROAD TRIPPING: The Red Sox today begin a 7-game road trip to DET (3 games) and TB (4 games). Last season, the Sox went 35-46 (.432) on the road… It was their 1st time posting a sub-.500 road record over a 162-game season since 2015 (also 35-46). Tomorrow will be a scheduled off day…After tomorrow, the Sox will play 19 games in 19 days, from 4/8-26.
INNINGS OF INTEREST: The Red Sox have scored in the 1st inning in 4 of their first 6 games of 2023. They have scored 8 runs in the 1st inning, most among AL teams and tied for most in MLB with ATL, CIN, and LAD. The Sox have not allowed a run in the 8th or 9th inning yet this season…The only other teams to do so are PIT and TEX. They have outscored opponents in the 8th and 9th innings, 8-0.
LEADERS OF THE PACK: The Red Sox rank 4th in the AL and 6th in MLB in runs scored (34). The Sox also rank in the AL’s top 5 in various offensive categories (see below).
RED SOX OFFENSIVE RANKINGS
Stat AL Rank
35 runs………………………… 4th
21 extra-base hits…………. 5th
8 home runs…………………. 5th
Stat AL Rank
.261 AVG………………………. 5th
.445 SLG ………………………. 5th
.777 OPS ………………………. 5th
HOT START: The Red Sox have scored 35 runs, their most through a season’s first 6 games since 2016 (also 35 runs). The Red Sox combined for 2 runs and 9 hits over the last 2 games, after averaging 8.25 runs/game and 11.5 his/game over their first 4 games of the season. This Sox recorded at least 6 runs in 10 hits in each of their first 4 games of a season for the 4th time in club history (also 2016, 1985, 1950).
TEAM OF THE CENTURY: The 2023 season is the 22nd for the Red Sox’ current ownership group (Henry-Werner, 2002-2023)…In the last 22 seasons, the Sox have won more World Series titles (4) than any other team. Among MLB and the NFL, NBA, and NHL, the only other franchises to win as many as 4 championships since the start of 2002 are the New England Patriots (6), Los Angeles Lakers (4), San Antonio Spurs (4), and Golden State Warriors (4).
MOST WORLD SERIES TITLES, 2002-2022
Rk. Team World Series
- Boston Red Sox 4 (2004, ‘07, ‘13, ‘18)
- San Francisco Giants 3 (2010, ‘12, ‘14)
- St. Louis Cardinals 2 (2006, ‘11)
Houston Astros 2 (2017, ‘22)
CLOSE SHAVES: 5 of the Red Sox’ first 6 games have been decided by 3 runs or fewer (1-4 record), including 3 games decided by 1 run (1-2 record). The Sox also played at least 5 games decided by 3 runs or fewer within their first 6 games of the a season in 2022 (6 games), ‘18 (5), and ‘17 (6)… Prior to 2017, that had only happened 3 times since 2000 (5 games in 2003, ‘09 and ‘10). The Sox are 1 of 4 teams in MLB to play as many as 3 games decided by 1 run this season (also ARI, CLE, OAK).
WHAT A RELIEF: Dating back to the 7th inning on Opening Day vs. BAL, 20 of the 25 innings started by Red Sox relievers have been scoreless.
5 of the 8 relief pitchers the Red Sox have used this season have allowed 1 or 0 earned runs (see below).
RED SOX RELIEVERS TO ALLOW 1 OR 0 RUNS
Pitcher IP R
Chris Martin 3.0 0
Kenley Jansen 1.0 0
Josh Winckowski 6.0 1
Zack Kelly 4.2 1
John Schreiber 3.0 1
ON THE MEND: Brayan Bello threw 72 pitches over 5.0 innings in an intrasquad game yesterday at the Fenway South Player Development Complex in Fort Myers, FL. Garrett Whitlock made a rehab start for Triple-A Worcester on 3/31 (4.0 IP, 6 H, R, BB, 6 SO)…He is scheduled to pitch for Double-A Portland today. James Paxton threw 49 pitches over 3.0 innings in an intrasquad game at Fenway South on Tuesday.
DUV-ALL ABOUT IT: Adam Duvall on Monday was named AL Player of the Week for 3/31-4/2, after recording 6 extra-base hits and 8 RBI in his first 3 games with BOS. He recorded another RBI on Monday vs. PIT, becoming the 4th player all-time to record 9 RBI over the Sox’ first 4 games of the season…He joined Vern Stephens (1950), Ted Williams (1942), and Bobby Doerr (1941). Duvall leads qualified AL players in SLG (1.000), OPS (1.542), extra-base hits (tied, 6), and total bases (tied, 21)…He ranks among the AL’s top 5 in AVG (2nd, .476), OBP (4th, .542), HR (T-4th, 2), RBI (2nd, 9), and runs scored (T-3rd, 7).
MACHO MAN: Masataka Yoshida has hit from the 4th spot in the lineup in each of his 6 career games…He is first player since Jack Hoey in 1906 to bat 4th for the Red Sox in each of his first 6 MLB games. Prior to Yoshida, the last players to hit from the 4th spot in the lineup in each of their first 6 MLB games were Kris Bryant (2015) and Tim Salmon (1992).
THE NEW GUYS: Eleven members of the Red Sox’ Opening Day roster or injured list were not in the organization during the 2022 season (see below). 6 players made their first career Opening Day roster: 1B Triston Casas, RHP Zack Kelly, RHP Kaleb Ort, RHP Josh Winckowski, C Connor Wong, and OF Masataka Yoshida
TODAY’S STARTER: 41 CHRIS SALE – LHP
Allowed 7 runs over 3.0 IP on Saturday vs. BAL (7 H, 2 BB, 6 SO, HB, 3 HR)…6 of his 9 outs were via strikeout, including each of his first 5 outs. Saturday was just his 10th career start with 7+ ER (previous: 8/3/19 at NYY-G1). Owns a 2.96 ERA (57 ER/173.1 IP) in 33 career games (23 starts) vs. DET…Struck out 10 batters over 5.0 IP in his last start vs. DET on 4/23/19 (2 ER, 2 BB, HR). Is 53-42 with a 2.96 ERA (279 ER/848.9 IP) in 162 career games (121 starts) following a loss. Has averaged 11.08 SO/9.0 IP (2,070 SO/1,681.0 IP) in his career, the highest rate in the Live Ball Era (min. 1,000 IP)
DETROIT TIGERS NOTES:
TIGERS DROP SERIES FINALE AT HOUSTON: The Tigers were unable to complete the sweep of the Astros, dropping the series finale, 8-2. Riley Greene had a pair of hits, including a triple, while Nick Maton and Austin Meadows each had a hit and a RBI. Eduardo Rodriguez started for Detroit and took the loss, allowing four runs on six hits with two walks and a strikeout in 4.2 innings.
HOME OPENER NOTES: Today marks the 24th home opener at Comerica Park. Since the venue opened in 2000, the Tigers are 15-8 in home openers, including winning 12 of its last 14 outings. Detroit has opened its home schedule against Boston twice since 2000, winning 6-5 in 2017 and 3-2 in 2012.
GREENE MACHINE: Riley Greene put the finishing touches on an impressive road trip yesterday, finishing the game 2×4 with a triple. During the six-game trip, Greene hit .348/.400/.565 with a triple, a home run and a RBI. Greene has reached base safely in five-of-six games this season and has at least one hit in four consecutive contests.
SPEED RACERS: The Tigers stole four bases in yesterday’s game at Houston with Riley Greene, Eric Haase, Zach McKinstry and Matt Vierling each stealing one bag. It marked the first time Detroit has stolen four bases in a game since October 3, 2021 at Chicago (AL). Last season,
the Tigers did not record their fourth stolen base until the 22nd game of the season.
TIGERS AND RED SOX: The Tigers and Red Sox begin their six-game season series this afternoon. Along with the three games this weekend in Detroit, the two teams will play a three-game series in Boston from August 11-13. The Red Sox won five-of-six games against the Tigers last season, including taking two-of-three games at Comerica Park.
INJURY REHAB UPDATE: Tyler Nevin continued an injury rehab assignment with Triple A Toledo yesterday at Omaha, starting at third base and going 4×5 with a double and three RBI. In four injury rehab games with the Mud Hens, Nevin has gone 11×18 with three doubles, a triple, a home run and five RBI. Nevin is currently on the injured list with a left oblique strain.
TIGERS ON THE IL:
• RHP Beau Brieske (right upper arm discomfort, 15-day IL on March 30, retroactive to March 27)
• RHP Michael Lorenzen (left groin strain, 15- day IL on March 30, retroactive to March 27)
• RHP Casey Mize (right elbow sprain, 60-day IL on February 17)
• INF Tyler Nevin (left oblique strain, 10-day IL on March 30, retroactive to March 27)
• RHP Freddy Pacheco (right elbow sprain, 60- day IL on March 27)
• LHP Tarik Skubal (left elbow strain, 60-day IL on March 14)
TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER – Spencer Turnbull • 0-1, 27.00 ERA (2.1IP/7ER)
• Turnbull will make his second start of the season today in the home opener against Boston…also started the 2019 home opener against Kansas City, allowing three runs, two earned, on six hits with two walks and 10 strikeouts in 6.0 innings. • Took the loss in his season debut on Saturday at Tampa Bay, allowing seven runs on eight hits with three walks and three strikeouts in 2.1 innings…was his first start in the Majors since June 4, 2021
• Has faced the Red Sox twice in his career, posting a 1-0 record with a 2.25 ERA (8.0IP/2ER) and five strikeouts…in 27 career starts at Comerica Park, has a 6-14 record with a 4.18 ERA (140.0IP/65ER) and 138 strikeouts.
• Made nine starts in 2021 and went 4-2 with a 2.88 ERA (50.0IP/16ER) and 44 strikeouts…limited opponents to a 0.98 WHIP and a .203 batting average.
• Threw the eighth no-hitter in Tigers history on May 18, 2021 at Seattle, striking out nine and walking two…was the first no-hitter by a Tigers pitcher since Justin Verlander on May 7, 2011 at Toronto.
