The Boston Red Sox look to defend their 2013 World Series Championship as they open up the season. They’ll begin their quest for two straight with the first game of a three-game set this afternoon with the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. The game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Orioles market, you can catch the game on MASN. If you don’t live in either market you’re in luck as ESPN2 will have coverage of the game. You can also catch the game online at WatchESPN. And if you can’t catch the game on television, you can always listen on the 2014 Red Sox Radio Network.
Jon Lester makes his fourth straight Opening Day start for the Red Sox. He made 33 starts in 2013 and was 15-8 with a 3.75 ERA. Four of those starts came against the Birds in which he went 1-2 with a 4.70 ERA. He’s made 25 career starts against the O’s and is 15-3 with a 2.94 ERA. 13 of those starts have come at Camden Yards where he is 8-1 with a 2.99 ERA.
Chris Tillman makes his first career Opening Day start for the Orioles. He made 33 starts in 2013 and was 16-7 with a 3.71 ERA. Six of those starts came against the Red Sox where he went 3-1 with a 2.65 ERA. He’s made 11 career starts against the Red Sox and is 4-2 with a 2.74 ERA. Six of those starts have come at Camden Yards where he is 3-1 with a 3.09 ERA.
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| 1. Daniel Nava | RF | 1. Nick Markakis | RF |
| 2. Dustin Pedroia | 2B | 2. J.J. Hardy | SS |
| 3. David Ortiz | DH | 3. Adam Jones | CF |
| 4. Mike Napoli | 1B | 4. Chris Davis | 1B |
| 5. Mike Carp | LF | 5. Nelson Cruz | LF |
| 6. Grady Sizemore | CF | 6. Matt Wieters | C |
| 7. Xander Bogaerts | SS | 7. Delmon Young | DH |
| 8. A.J. Pierzynski | C | 8. Ryan Flaherty | 3B |
| 9. Will Middlebrooks | 3B | 9. Jonathan Schoop | 2B |
| Jon Lester | SP | Chris Tillman | SP |
NOTES:
The Red Sox placed Shane Victorino on the 15-day DL before the game. To take his place on the 25-man roster, Jackie Bradley Jr. was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket.
Here is how the hitters have fared against the starting pitchers during the regular season over their careers.
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How great is David Ortiz? [sox & dawgs]
Bradley Jr. May Have Needed to Be Optioned to Pawtucket Even if Sizemore Wasn’t Involved [sox & dawgs]
2014 Red Sox Preview [boston globe]
Check out our 2014 Red Sox preview section [boston herald]
The curious case of Shane Victorino: A reminder to expect the unexpected [rob bradford – weei.com]
Jon Lester on contract uncertainty: ‘If I use that for motivation, I’ve got problems’ [clubhouse insider]
Without Shane Victorino, Mike Carp makes start in left field — plus, American flag blazers at White House? [clubhouse insider]
How patriotic are Red Sox feeling for White House visit? [clubhouse insider]
Red Sox preview: Getting to know the 2014 Sox [csn new england]
Bogaerts ready for his first Opening Day [csn new england]
Ortiz (calf) says he’ll be ‘fine’ [csn new england]
Red Sox have rest scheduled for Sizemore [csn new england]
Lester still honored to start Opening Day [csn new england]
Middlebrooks hopes new contacts lead to more contact [csn new england]
Bradley Jr.: I’m ready whenever called upon [csn new england]
Breslow ‘shooting for’ Saturday to come off DL [csn new england]
Replay ‘will take getting used to’ says Farrell [csn new england]
Opening Day roster, with salaries [espn boston]
Lester trusts it’s not beginning of end [espn boston]
Boston Red Sox, John Farrell not worried about repeating as World Series champs [espn boston]
On deck? Star-spangled blazers [espn boston]
Opening notes: The Shesta files [espn boston]
Red Sox open 2014 season in Baltimore [espn boston]
Let the games begin: Red Sox ready to face Orioles on Opening Day [extra bases]
Jon Lester talks contract (again): ‘If I use that as motivation, I’ve got problems’ [full count]
Jonny Gomes on setting tone in opener: ‘We know the tone’ [full count]
Ken Rosenthal on D&C: Sox will have issue if Shane Victorino is banged up [full count]
A Series Matter: Red Sox-Orioles and Opening Day [projo sox blog]
Red Sox have no players among baseball’s 30 highest-paid [providence journal]
Craig Breslow to rehab with PawSox, hopeful for a quick return [providence journal]
Calm Bogaerts eager for first Opening Day [redsox.com]
Victorino’s availability uncertain for Opening Day [redsox.com]
Cohesive as can be, Sox open title defense vs. O’s [redsox.com]
The vision thing: Why things are looking clearer for Will Middlebrooks after a monster spring [alex speier – weei.com]
As Xander Bogaerts moves from prospect to cornerstone, new challenges await [alex speier – weei.com]
Red Sox repeat might be improbable, but don’t we know that ‘anything is possible’? [touching all the bases]
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photo credits: getty images, getty images
