OKAY CROCHET & OPENING DAY PREVIEW

The Red Sox are returning to Fenway Park today; it is opening day at America's most beloved ballpark, against the St. Louis Cardinals, at 2:10 PM. However, before the opening day festivities, let us talk about what happened down at Camden Yards.

Garrett Crochet pitched a career-high eight innings on Wednesday night against the Orioles, picking up the win while striking out eight.

(Photo Courtesy: Boston 25)

Red Sox-Orioles Series Summary

The Red Sox travelled from Arlington, Texas, to Baltimore, Maryland, to play the Orioles in their home opener. The game was moved up from a 3:05 start to 2:30 due to the weather. The Sox did not play their best ball in this game; the game got away from them quickly after the O’s plated four runs in the bottom of the first inning off starter Sean Newcomb. The Red Sox rallied in the second and third innings, but the O’s scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth. They rallied back to the top of the ninth with two runs but could not get the job done. With two outs and runners on first and second, Alex Bregman had a chance to have his first signature moment with the Sox, but he popped out to third baseman Ramón Urías to end the game.

Game Two saw Garrett Crochet make his second Red Sox start after signing a six-year, $170 million extension running through the 2031 season late Monday night. Crochet was not the only Red Sock to get an extension; just before the game, newcomer second baseman Kristian Campbell signed another long-term extension. The MLB top ten prospect signed an eight-year, $60 million extension, the first of many to come for these up-and-coming prospects. Crochet was amazing in this game. The lefty pitched a career high eight innings, struck out eight, allowed four hits, no extra base hits, and only one walk on 102 total pitches. Shortstop Trevor Story went 3-4 with a homer and a pair of singles. While rounding the bases, Story did a celebration. To me, it looked like he was using an old film camera, however, NESN analyst Tom Caron said it looked like he was eating “chowder.”

Carl Denham (played by Jack Black) in the 2005 film King Kong uses an old-timey camera, what Trevor Story did as a celebration while rounding the bases after his home run on Wednesday night.

(Photo courtesy: WhatCulture.com)

Game Three saw the Red Sox score the most runs they have so far this season. Alex Bregman started the party early, hitting his first home run as a Red Sock after Devers took a walk in the top of the first. Bregman was not the only one with a two-run home run. Kristian Campbell hit one an inning later, and Triston Casas hit one in the top of the seventh for his first of the year. Starting with pitcher Tanner Houck went four innings, giving up three earned runs on five hits, but he struck out six. In the top of the fourth with the bases loaded, Jarren Duran hit a sac fly to plate Wilyer Abreu. Duran has been cold so far this season, slashing .200/.242/.300 in the seven games. He will turn that around this weekend at Fenway Park. With two outs in the top of the ninth, Rafael Devers hit a single and then scored on a Bregman double for the Sox's final run of the game.

Game Recaps

Game One: Orioles eight, Red Sox 5

Game Two: Red Sox 3, Orioles 0

Game Three: Red Sox 8, Orioles 4

Series MVP: LHP Garrett Crochet, 8.0IP, 8Ks, 4 H, BB, and the win

Cardinals Series Preview

Game One: Walker Buehler vs Friday 2:10PM

Game Two: Richard Fitts vs Saturday 4:10PM

Game Three: Sean Newcomb vs Sunday 7:10PM

The Sox are taking on their often World Series opponent in the St Louis Cardinals, for the opening series at Fenway Park this weekend. Walker Buehler will make his first Fenway Park start in the home opener. Buehler went 4.1 innings against the Rangers in his last start, giving up four earned runs in the loss. Richard Fitts is penciled in to start the second game and had six strikeouts against Texas; he only allowed three earned runs in the game but took the loss against Jacob deGrom. The Brockton native Sean Newcomb will start on Sunday Night Baseball, his second career start in Fenway Park, and his first as a Red Sock. The Sox take on the Toronto Blue Jays after this series.

Red Sox Overall Record: 3-4

Cardinals Overall Record: 4-2