Red Sox Notes: Why Boston Must Dominate At Fenway Park

BOSTON — To win and make the postseason in 2025, the Red Sox need to do two things among others: play better against the American League East and play better at Fenway Park.

They took the first step with a series win to close the road trip against the Baltimore Orioles. Then, Friday marked a great sign with a 13-run outburst, including five runs in the first, to down the St. Louis Cardinals in the home opener.

“That’s a different first inning than the last few home openers,” Cora said after the win. “It’s been the other way around the last few years. For us to score five, I was thinking, ‘Oh, that feels a lot better.'”

Fenway Park had a crowd pop unlike most games over the last three seasons. That energy will be contagious for Boston this season and has to drive momentum on the home diamond.

“I had butterflies the whole time,” Jarren Duran said. “It was awesome to see how many fans had come out to support us. For us to be able to get a win for them is really important.”

The Red Sox have not had a winning record at home since 2022. It’s a big reason for the current streak of three playoff absences. Boston watched several teams dominate offensively with right-handed power in an advantageous offensive style in its own building. Now, the Red Sox are better equipped to weaponize that advantage for themselves.

“It’s awesome,” Trevor Story, who launched a three-run home run in the first inning, said. “Obviously, for the right-handed power guys with the Monster right there. Anywhere we go, we’re looking to put at-bats like that. More than the dimensions of the field, the fans that we have and the energy they give us, that’s what matters most.”

“Every year is different,” Alex Bregman said. “I feel like this team wants to win here at home for sure. We want to win when we play here at Fenway. We’re going to leave it all out there every time we take the field.”

Cora spoke extensively before the game about the value of changing the script on winning at Fenway Park. The Red Sox looked the part of improvement Friday.

Here are more notes from Friday’s Cardinals-Red Sox game:

— The Red Sox have a brand new home run celebration prop that quickly gained popularity and attention Friday during the massive first inning.

— Walker Buehler allowed five earned runs on seven hits and gave up a pair of homers in his first career start at Fenway Park. The Red Sox right-hander allowed nine earned runs over his first two starts.

“They’re flat,” Buehler said of his first two starts. “I think for me, it’s hard to figure out anything other than that work I’ve gotten in every week and all through spring. I came in at a really good spot. Frustrating to kind of say the least. Whatever pedigree I have, I want to show that here.”

— The Red Sox have some life at the plate from their backup catcher, Carlos Narvaez. The offseason acquisition from the New York Yankees hit well to end the road trip and stepped up Friday with a pair of hits and runs driven in.

“Narvaez had a great day,” Cora said. “Controlled the strike zone too. He puts the ball in play. He goes the other way. Good defender. Good baseball IQ, but the at-bats have been impressive.”

— Boston won its first home opener since the 2020 season when the Red Sox earned a 13-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.

— The offense scored 13 runs as the new season-high and set such a number for the second-straight game.

— The Red Sox and Cardinals continue the three-game set Saturday afternoon at Fenway Park. First pitch is set for 4:10 p.m. ET. You can catch the game, plus an hour of pregame coverage, on NESN.