How Red Sox Became ‘Appointment Viewing’ (On NESN, Of Course) For 2025

The Red Sox finally are the talk of Boston again.

The general sentiment around the hometown club over the last several years ranged from apathy to resentment, with the occasional bright spots — particularly in 2024 — largely overshadowed by underwhelming performance and a perceived lack of urgency.

Now, after an aggressive offseason, expectations have been reshaped. The Red Sox not only have a playoff-caliber roster. They also are one of the most fascinating teams in Major League Baseball — for a multitude of reasons.

“The Red Sox are appointment viewing right now, like you wouldn’t believe. They really are,” Marc Bertrand, co-host of 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Zolak & Bertrand” show, said Thursday before Boston won its second consecutive game against the Orioles in Baltimore. ” … I feel good again, guys. I don’t know about you. I’m feeling good. The vibes are high. The vibes are very high.”

Vibes aside, there’s simply no shortage of storylines surrounding this year’s Red Sox. And that, in and of itself, is a huge development for a fan base that often plans its summers around Boston baseball.

The Red Sox have a new ace in Garrett Crochet, who they since signed to an unprecedented contract extension. He looked the part in his most recent outing, tossing eight shutout innings against the Orioles on Wednesday, one day after inking his new deal.

They also have a new clubhouse leader in Alex Bregman, a hard-nosed veteran with two World Series titles on his résumé. He’s a lightning rod across MLB, thanks to his Houston Astros connection, and his arrival bumping franchise star Rafael Devers from third base to designated hitter only fanned the flames of spring training intrigue.

Throw in some holdover storylines — Jarren Duran’s superstar emergence, Triston Casas’ career development, Trevor Story’s redemption arc, Wilyer Abreu’s surprising breakout, etc. — and an elite crop of prospects, including Kristian Campbell, who just signed his own contract extension amid a sizzling start to the regular season, and you have cinema.

“There has been more interest and buzz from callers and on the airwaves about the Red Sox in the last, call it, two weeks than there has been in the last two years combined,” Tony Massarotti, co-host of 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Felger & Mazz” show, said Thursday on “The Baseball Hour with Tony Mazz” after Boston defeated Baltimore 8-4 at Camden Yards. ” … The interest level in the Red Sox has gone way, way up.”

Will the Red Sox reach their potential and return to playoff contention — or, dare we say, push for a World Series title — this season? Who knows. They returned to Fenway Park on Friday for the home opener with a 3-4 record. There’s been some good and some bad.

There’s definitely a different feel this season, though. An influx of top-tier talent, coupled with a renewed organizational decisiveness, has manager Alex Cora’s group well-positioned for a successful — and entertaining — 2025 campaign.

Appointment viewing? We’d say so.