Moving Forward: A Boston Red Sox Franchise (MLB The Show 23 - PS5)

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Since 2012, the Boston Red Sox have made a habit of having some great teams and make some serious playoff pushes, but they've also made a habit of having some bad teams and finishing dead last in their division, and that was no different in 2022.

The 2022 Red Sox not only finished in last place, they also closed out the calendar year watching their superstar shortstop Xander Bogaerts leave in free agency for the Padres, something fans had feared all season long. After receiving plenty of warranted criticism over the Bogaerts departure, and numerous other free agent departures over the years, the Red Sox seemed to take the hint as they signed their other star infielder Rafael Devers to a ten-year extension.

The Red Sox also took the time this offseason to replenish the pitching staff, adding five new bullpen arms and a starter in Corey Kluber. Though these were much needed, and very welcome additions, their biggest addition of the offseason came in the form of Japanese star outfielder Masataka Yoshida. So long as he can continue his performance in the big leagues, Yoshida will be a huge for Boston's lineup, especially considering the departures of Bogaerts, J.D. Martinez.

While it's not the flashiest group of guys the Red Sox have had in recent years, this should be an interesting season in Boston.


PROJECTED OPENING DAY ROSTER:

C: Reese McGuire, Connor Wong
1B: Tristan Casas
2B: Kike Hernandez, Christian Arroyo
3B: Rafael Devers
SS: Trevor Story, Pablo Reyes
LF: Masataka Yoshida
CF: Adam Duvall
RF: Alex Verdugo, Rob Refsnyder
DH: Justin Turner

SP: Chris Sale, Tanner Houck, James Paxton, Brayan Bello, Corey Kluber
RP: Josh Winckowski, John Schreiber, Joely Rodriguez, Chris Martin, Richard Bleier, Garrett Whitlock, Nick Pivetta
CP: Kenley Jansen

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MLB Standings - Updated: Mar 1, 2023
AL EAST	W	L	GB
Baltimore Orioles	0	0	0.0
Boston Red Sox	0	0	0.0
New York Yankees	0	0	0.0
Tampa Bay Rays	0	0	0.0
Toronto Blue Jays	0	0	0.0

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RESERVED FOR SEASON STATISTICS

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Red Sox Announce Opening Day Roster

After what seemed like the longest Spring Training ever, the Red Sox have officially announced their Opening Day roster.

C: Connor Wong, Reese McGuire
1B: Triston Casas
2B: Kike Hernandez, Christian Arroyo
3B: Rafael Devers
SS: Trevor Story, Adalberto Mondesi
LF: Masataka Yoshida, Rob Refsnyder
CF: Adam Duvall
RF: Alex Verdugo

SP: Chris Sale, Brayan Bello, Tanner Houck, James Paxton, Garrett Whitlock
RP: Corey Kluber, Kutter Crawford, Nick Pivetta, Josh Winckowski, Richard Bleier, Chris Martin, John Schreiber
CP: Kenley Jansen

The only real surprise was in the rotation, as former Cy Young award winner Corey Kluber will begin the season in the bullpen with Garrett Whitlock taking the starting gig over the veteran. Kluber hasn't appeared out of the bullpen since 2013.

Boston also opted to carry Adalberto Mondesi on the roster, but given the fact that he's out of options, it does make sense, but it does make you wonder whether they'd be better off with an extra outfielder such as Jarren Duran. Duran had a great spring and looks to have shaken off the nightmare of a season from 2022.

The Red Sox will open up the season at home against Cedric Mullins and the rival Baltimore Orioles.

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SWEEPIN' OUT THE GATE

The Red Sox began the 2023 season in style, sweeping the Baltimore Orioles, outscoring them 21-8, including a 9-0 game three victory.

The first game of the series saw Chris Sale throwing against Tyler Wells who would hold his own, surrendering two runs on six hits over six innings of work. Sale had a very similar game, lasting seven innings while giving up two runs on eight hits. Baltimore's bullpen is where they lost the game, as Yennier Cano gave up a two-run blast to Connor Wong to ultimately seal the 5-3 victory.

Game two was just as close as far as the score goes, but if you looked at Trevor Storey's stat line, you'd think it was a blowout. Storey went 3-for-5 with solo home runs in three consecutive at-bats. His boom stick disappeared though after John Means was pulled after just three and a third innings. Means surrendered six runs on eleven hits while striking out just a single batter.

The series finale was a little different, still lots of scoring, but only from the Red Sox. Kike Hernandez led the way going 3-for-4 with a home run and three runs batted in. The pitching from Tanner Houck stifled the Orioles offense as he worked seven and two thirds of three hit ball, striking out eight and walking one.

The Red Sox will welcome Bryan Reynolds and the Pittsburgh Pirates into Fenway Park next as they look to continue their hot start. James Paxton will take the mound for the first time in two years on Monday as he battles righty JT Brubaker in the series opener.

[Mattchu12]

Quote: Originally Posted by UNDERTAKER1215

SWEEPIN' OUT THE GATE The Red Sox began the 2023 season in style, sweeping the Baltimore Orioles, outscoring them 21-8, including a 9-0 game three victory. The first game of the series saw Chris Sale throwing against Tyler Wells who would hold his own, surrendering two runs on six hits over six innings of work. Sale had a very similar game, lasting seven innings while giving up two runs on eight hits. Baltimore's bullpen is where they lost the game, as Yennier Cano gave up a two-run blast to Connor Wong to ultimately seal the 5-3 victory. Game two was just as close as far as the score goes, but if you looked at Trevor Storey's stat line, you'd think it was a blowout. Storey went 3-for-5 with solo home runs in three consecutive at-bats. His boom stick disappeared though after John Means was pulled after just three and a third innings. Means surrendered six runs on eleven hits while striking out just a single batter. The series finale was a little different, still lots of scoring, but only from the Red Sox. Kike Hernandez led the way going 3-for-4 with a home run and three runs batted in. The pitching from Tanner Houck stifled the Orioles offense as he worked seven and two thirds of three hit ball, striking out eight and walking one. The Red Sox will welcome Bryan Reynolds and the Pittsburgh Pirates into Fenway Park next as they look to continue their hot start. James Paxton will take the mound for the first time in two years on Monday as he battles righty JT Brubaker in the series opener.

Boooooo, go Pirates! I kid, I kid. Good to see a familiar face on here!

[UNDERTAKER1215]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mattchu12

Boooooo, go Pirates! I kid, I kid. Good to see a familiar face on here!

Yeah I've gone back and forth on whether to post on here or not, if it's worth it. I think I've settled on a monthly recap with a little filler in between such as significant injuries, promotions and demotions, trades, etc. My April recap should be posted shortly.

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RED SOX END APRIL ON CRUISE CONTROL

(Image credit to NESN.com)

The first month of baseball has come and gone, and the team that stands above all others is the Boston Red Sox, who sit at 23-6, and currently on a five-game winning streak. The next closest teams are the Blue Jays and Dodgers who both sit at 19 victories. Through the first month, enroute to their league best record, the Red Sox have lost no more than two games in a row.

The starting pitching has been phenomenal with only two starters sporting an ERA above 2.00 with a combined 2.03 ERA, and a team ERA of 2.36. Tanner Houck has been the ace of the rotation, not that the others have been less than that. Houck currently sits undefeated at 4-0 with a 1.08 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 41.2 innings. Staying with the rotation, the favorite for the rookie of the year has to be Bryan Bello who has been almost just as good as Houck, sitting at 5-0 with a 1.51 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 41.2 innings. Bello also has allowed just six walks, something that was a concern coming into this season given his control struggles.

The offense has been led by none other than Rafael Devers, who currently sits in second in the majors with 15 home runs and 41 hits in just 117 at-bats. Sadly, outside of Devers, there really hasn't been any offensive stars for the Red Sox, the next best offense player would probably be Kike Hernandez. Hernandez has hit .236 with 6 home runs and 20 runs batted in, joining Devers as the only other player with more than 20 runs driven in.

The Red Sox did suffer a big blow to their offense, losing rookie first baseman Triston Casas to the 60-day injured list for a fractured arm that he suffered while sliding head first into second base. Casas should be back at the beginning of June.

The Red Sox could have some offensive reinforcements later this year, with potentially Marcelo Mayer and Ceddanne Rafaela among others being on the fast track to the majors. Mayer has dominated the minors so far as he's hit .342 with two home runs and 18 RBI. Rafaela has been less effective hitting below the Mendoza Line.

The Red Sox did make a minor addition to their pitching depth, signing righty reliever Julian Fernandez to a minor league contract. Fernandez will start his tenure in Double-A Portland.

The Red Sox will begin the month of May taking on Chris Bassitt and the Toronto Blue Jays.