Hey baseball fans! The 2023 MLB season is just around the corner, and we’re here to give you a sneak peek at one of the most anticipated matchups of the year: the Red Sox vs. Reds. These two historic teams have a long and storied rivalry, and we can’t wait to see what they have in store for us this year.
Last year, the Red Sox got the better of the Reds, winning the season series 3-1. However, the Reds are looking to turn things around this year, and they’ve made some key additions to their roster over the offseason. The Red Sox, meanwhile, are looking to build on their success from last year and make a run at the World Series.
So, who do we think will win this year’s matchup? Well, it’s too early to say for sure, but we’re going to give you our predictions in the next section. Stay tuned!
Red Sox 2022 Season Recap
Historic Start
The 2022 season commenced with an unprecedented and electrifying start for the Boston Red Sox, etching their name in the annals of baseball history. The team opened their campaign with an astonishing 14 consecutive victories, an unparalleled achievement in franchise annals.
This remarkable streak surpassed the previous team record of 10 straight wins set in 1912 and 1981. It also equaled the second-best start in Major League Baseball history, tying with the 1911 New York Giants and the 2017 Houston Astros.
The Red Sox’s exceptional start was fueled by a potent offense that erupted for 12 runs or more in six of their first 14 games. J.D. Martinez led the charge with five home runs and 17 RBIs during this dominant stretch.
Complementing the offensive onslaught, the Red Sox pitching staff exhibited remarkable resilience. Led by ace Nathan Eovaldi, Nick Pivetta, Rich Hill, and Michael Wacha, the team recorded a combined ERA of 3.04 during their 14-0 run.
Eovaldi, in particular, was a cornerstone of the team’s success. He emerged as a formidable force, posting a microscopic 1.93 ERA and 26 strikeouts in his first five starts. His unwavering presence on the mound instilled confidence in the team and their aspirations for a deep playoff run.
The Red Sox’s historic start propelled them to the top of the American League East standings. Their dominant performance captured the imagination of fans and media alike, raising expectations for a potential World Series title. However, as the season progressed, the team encountered challenges that ultimately hindered their championship pursuit.
Key Players
The Boston Red Sox had several standout players in 2022, who contributed significantly to the team’s success. Some of the key players included:
Rafael Devers
Rafael Devers had an impressive season in 2022, leading the team in several offensive categories. He finished with a batting average of .319, which was third-best in the American League. Devers also hit 28 home runs and drove in 111 runs, both of which were team highs. His strong performance earned him a spot on the American League All-Star team, and he finished eighth in the AL MVP voting.
Xander Bogaerts
Xander Bogaerts, the Red Sox’s shortstop, had another solid season in 2022. He batted .307 with 15 home runs and 78 RBIs. Bogaerts also played excellent defense, committing only 10 errors in 162 games. His all-around play made him one of the most valuable players on the team.
Trevor Story
Trevor Story, who was acquired by the Red Sox in a trade with the Colorado Rockies before the season, had a strong first year in Boston. He finished with 24 home runs and 94 RBIs, and he also stole 20 bases. Story’s power and speed were a valuable addition to the Red Sox lineup.
Nathan Eovaldi
Nathan Eovaldi was the Red Sox’s ace pitcher in 2022. He finished with a 16-9 record and a 3.75 ERA. Eovaldi also struck out 208 batters in 182.1 innings pitched. He was a key part of the Red Sox’s success in the regular season and the playoffs.
Notable Moments
Opening Day Victory
The Boston Red Sox kicked off their 2022 campaign with an impressive 4-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Opening Day. The team showcased a stellar performance on both sides of the ball, starting with a dominant outing from ace pitcher Nathan Eovaldi.
Eovaldi took the mound for the Red Sox and delivered a masterful six-hit shutout. He cruised through the Rays’ lineup for nine innings, striking out seven batters and allowing only one walk. His performance set the tone for the game, giving the Red Sox a solid foundation to build upon.
At the plate, the Red Sox offense also came alive, with several key players contributing. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts showcased his power with a solo home run in the first inning, giving the Red Sox an early lead. Other notable offensive contributors included J.D. Martinez, Rafael Devers, and Alex Verdugo, who each notched an RBI in the game.
The Red Sox’s victory on Opening Day was a testament to their strong pitching and timely hitting. They demonstrated a well-rounded performance that set the stage for a successful start to the season. The team’s ability to shut down the opposition and produce runs when needed proved to be a winning combination.
Regular Season Struggles
The Boston Red Sox endured a tumultuous 2022 regular season that was marred by injuries and underwhelming performances, leading them to miss the playoffs for a third consecutive year.
Injuries
The Red Sox were hit hard by injuries throughout the season, losing several key players for extended periods. Chris Sale, their ace pitcher, underwent Tommy John surgery in March and missed the entire year. Trevor Story, the shortstop they acquired via trade in the offseason, missed significant time due to a hand injury. J.D. Martinez, their designated hitter, also missed time due to a back injury.
The absence of these key players forced the Red Sox to rely on inexperienced players, such as Kutter Crawford and Connor Seabold, who struggled to fill the void. The team’s bullpen was also depleted by injuries, with relievers Matt Barnes, Ryan Brasier, and Tanner Houck all missing time.
The Red Sox’s pitching staff was particularly affected by injuries. In addition to Sale, they also lost Nathan Eovaldi to a shoulder injury, Nick Pivetta to a calf injury, and James Paxton to a lat injury. These absences forced manager Alex Cora to rely on a patchwork rotation and bullpen, which struggled to maintain consistency and keep the team in games.
The Red Sox’s injuries extended beyond the pitching staff. They also lost several key position players to injuries, including outfielders Alex Verdugo, Franchy Cordero, and Jackie Bradley Jr. These injuries forced Cora to juggle his lineup and experiment with different player combinations, which disrupted the team’s rhythm and chemistry.
The Red Sox’s inability to overcome their extensive injury woes ultimately proved to be their downfall. They finished the season with a 78-84 record, their worst since 2015, and missed the playoffs for a third consecutive year. The injuries highlighted the need for the Red Sox to improve their depth and find more reliable players to fill in for their stars when they are unable to play.
Postseason Performance
The Red Sox entered the 2022 postseason with a disappointing regular season record of 78-84. However, they managed to secure a Wild Card berth and faced off against the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL Wild Card Series. Despite their struggles during the regular season, the Red Sox showed resilience and determination in the postseason, ultimately defeating the Rays in two games.
Wild Card Series
In Game 1 of the Wild Card Series, Michael Wacha took the mound for the Red Sox and delivered a stellar performance. He allowed just one run on three hits over six innings, striking out five Rays batters. The Red Sox offense, meanwhile, struggled to get anything going against Rays starter Shane McClanahan, managing only four hits and one run through the first six innings. However, in the bottom of the seventh inning, Trevor Story hit a game-tying home run off McClanahan, and the Red Sox went on to win the game in extra innings.
Game 2 of the Wild Card Series saw a much more dominant performance from the Red Sox. Starter Nathan Eovaldi was brilliant, allowing just two hits and one walk over six shutout innings. The Red Sox offense also came alive, scoring three runs in the first inning and adding two more in the third. Rafael Devers delivered the game-winning blow in the bottom of the eighth inning, launching a solo home run off Rays reliever Jason Adam. The Red Sox held on to win the game 6-5, advancing to the AL Division Series.
The Red Sox’s victory in the Wild Card Series was a testament to their resilience and determination. Despite their struggles during the regular season, they managed to rise to the occasion when it mattered most. Strong pitching performances from Wacha and Eovaldi, as well as timely hitting from players like Devers and Story, were key factors in their success.
Division Series
Houston Astros
The Boston Red Sox’s 2022 season came to a disappointing end in the AL Division Series against the Houston Astros. The Astros, who had the best record in the American League, proved to be too much for the Red Sox, winning the series 3-1.
The Red Sox managed to win the first game of the series, but the Astros took the next three games to clinch the series. Rafael Devers continued to be a bright spot for the Red Sox, hitting .333 with two home runs in the series. However, the rest of the Red Sox lineup struggled against the Astros’ pitching staff.
The Red Sox’s loss in the Division Series was a disappointing end to a season that had started with so much promise. The team had won 92 games during the regular season, but they were unable to carry that success into the postseason.
Analysis of the Division Series
The Red Sox’s loss in the Division Series can be attributed to a number of factors. First, the Astros simply had a better team on paper. They had a deeper lineup, a stronger pitching staff, and more experience in the postseason.
Second, the Red Sox made a number of mistakes in the series. They failed to execute on offense, they made errors in the field, and they were unable to get key hits when they needed them.
Finally, the Red Sox were simply outplayed by the Astros. The Astros were the more aggressive team, and they were able to take advantage of the Red Sox’s mistakes.
Areas for Improvement
If the Red Sox want to avoid a similar fate in the future, they need to make some improvements. First, they need to improve their offense. They ranked 12th in the American League in runs scored during the regular season, and they were even worse in the postseason.
Second, the Red Sox need to improve their defense. They made a number of errors in the Division Series, and they need to be more consistent in the field.
Finally, the Red Sox need to be more aggressive in the postseason. They played too passively against the Astros, and they need to be more willing to take risks.
Conclusion
The Red Sox’s loss in the Division Series was a disappointing end to a season that had started with so much promise. However, the team can learn from their mistakes and come back stronger next year.