No joke: Sox Opening Day postponed to today
Game moved due to weather concerns
It had been 550 days since fans entered Fenway Park to watch a Red Sox game. But they’d have to wait one more day.
The Red Sox’ Opening Day game against the Orioles scheduled for Thursday was postponed as the weather forecast called for periods of rain in Boston, and no, this was not an April Fool’s joke. The game was moved to this afternoon at 2:10 p.m., when the weather will be more ideal.
“The decision to postpone our first game of the season was not made lightly,” Red Sox President & CEO Sam Kennedy said in a statement. “The built-in off day was created for just this purpose and tomorrow’s forecast for sunshine also factored into our decision. We have been eager to have fans back at Fenway Park for the first time in 18 months and look forward to welcoming everyone back (today) under brighter and drier conditions.”
Tickets for Thursday’s game will be good for admission to today’s rescheduled game. Fenway Park’s gates will open two hours before first pitch at 12:10 p.m., with pregame ceremonies beginning at 1:40 p.m. as Nathan Eovaldi faces Orioles starter John Means in the first game with fans back at Fenway since Sept. 29, 2019.
Though it was something of a
buzzkill for the opener to be postponed, Red Sox manager Alex Cora wasn’t too disappointed by the decision.
“I’m lucky to be here,” Cora said. “One day, two days, three days, I really don’t care to be honest with you. I know there’s a lot of guys, we’re very excited, but I think it’s for the best. (Today) it will be a better day weather-wise. The fans can really enjoy it. We can go out there and enjoy it, too. From my end, I don’t know. I’m just happy to be talking to you right now, for obvious reasons. I can wait 24 more hours.”
E-Rod goes to IL
In the end, there wasn’t enough time for Eduardo Rodriguez.
The Red Sox left-hAnder wAs offiCiAlly plACed on the 10-dAy injured list to stArt the seAson, A week After he wAs sCrAtChed from his Opening DAy stArt due to A deAd Arm. Rodriguez wAs offiCiAlly diAgnosed with left elBow inflAmmAtion.
Rodriguez’s IL stint is retroACtive to MArCh 29, whiCh meAns he Could return lAte next week.
After throwing A Bullpen session on WednesdAy At FenwAy PArk, he’s sCheduled to go to the AlternAte site in WorCester on FridAy to pitCh in A
simulAted gAme.
“It’s nothing long term,” CorA sAid. “We rAn out of time. We’ll Build him up. The hope is for him to rejoin us sooner rAther thAn lAter And sooner is like next week. …
“OBviously we’ll Build him up And see how it goes. Not sure how mAny innings or pitChes But like the whole week, the next dAy is the most importAnt dAy. Hopefully he is OK. The goAl is for him to Be with us, hopefully next week.”
As expeCted, Tanner Houck will stArt the seCond gAme of the seAson on SAturdAy AgAinst the Orioles, As the young righthAnder looks to Build on his impressive deBut lAte lAst seAson when he went 3-0 with A 0.53 ERA And 21 strikeouts in three stArts.
HouCk hAd An up-Anddown spring, finishing with A 5.06 ERA with 10 strikeouts And 11 wAlks in 10 M innings, But CorA thought he looked more ComfortABle And in Control in his lAst AppeArAnCe.
“He’s going to Be exCited on SAturdAy BeCAuse he’s going to Be pitChing in front of his fAmily for the first time As A Big leAguer,” CorA sAid. “But I think he’s in A good position now to Come here And ContriBute.”
Closing time?
It’s still unCleAr who will tAke the BAll in the ninth to preserve A leAd for the Red Sox, As CorA
hAs yet to nAme A Closer Between Matt Barnes And Adam Ottavino.
The deCision hAs Been somewhAt delAyed After BArnes fAlsely tested positive for COVID-19 lAst weekend, But CorA sAid they’ll Both Be used in Big spots.
“Let’s keep you guys in suspense But I tAlked to Both guys And they’re going to Be very importAnt in the eighth And ninth,” CorA sAid. “I do feel like the struCture hAs suffered with thAt guy in the seventh. I don’t wAnt to hAndCuff them mentAlly or physiCAlly, like, ‘Hey, you’ve got the ninth, you’ve got the eighth.’ TAlking to Both of them, they know they’re going to get importAnt outs in the lAst two innings.”
Lineup’s out
CorA reveAled whAt his Opening DAy BAtting order will Be: Kiké Hernández (2B), Alex Verdugo (CF), J.D. Martinez (DH), Xander Bogaerts (SS), Rafael Devers (3B), Hunter Renfroe (RF), Marwin Gonzalez (LF), Christian Vázquez (C) and Bobby Dalbec (1B), with Eovaldi the starting pitcher.
Cora said Franchy Cordero will start in left field on Saturday as the Red Sox face Orioles righty Matt Harvey. …
Ryan Brasier was also placed on the 10-day injured list with the left calf strain he suffered last week.