Manager’s Update Adds More Intrigue To Red Sox Opening Day

Red Sox Opening Day will be appointment viewing for Boston fans for a variety of reasons.

The source of the most excitement among the Fenway Faithful might be the first regular-season start by Garrett Crochet, who’s expected to take the hill for the Red Sox at Globe Life Field. Crochet won’t be the only Boston newcomer making his team debut March 27, as the southpaw will be joined by Alex Bregman and maybe even a top prospect.

Many expected Crochet would be opposite Jacob deGrom in his first outing for Boston. deGrom, who signed an expensive five-year deal with the Rangers in December 2022, returned from Tommy John surgery rehab last September and made three starts before the 2024 season ended.

But when Bruce Bochy met with the media Tuesday, the Texas manager revealed deGrom will open the campaign in the back end of the club’s starting rotation. In turn, former Red Sox fireballer Nathan Eovaldi is expected to toe the rubber against his former club in the Opening Day showdown in the Lone Star State.

Eovaldi, who pitched four-plus seasons for Boston and helped the franchise win the 2018 World Series, was the subject of reunion rumors over the offseason when the Red Sox sought to improve their pitching staff. However, the right-hander decided to stay with the Rangers by way of a three-year, $75 million deal signed in mid-December. In the following weeks, Boston added Crochet and two-time World Series champion Walker Buehler to bolster its rotation.

So, all things considered, excitement among Red Sox fans should be through the roof when Alex Cora kicks off the 2025 campaign in late March.