Opening Day 2013

Final Score:
8-2 Red Sox over Yankees

Stats:
Lester (W): 5.0 IP, 5H, 2R, 2ER, 2BB, 7SO
Bullpen: 4.0 IP, 1H, 0R, 0ER, 2BB, 3SO

Ellsbury: 3 for 6, Triple, 1 Run, 2 RBIs, 0 BB, 0 SO, 5 LOB
Victorino: 2 for 6, 0 Runs, 3 RBIs, 0 BB, 1 SO, 3 LOB
Pedroia: 2 for 6, 0 Runs, 1 RBI, 0 BB, 0 SO, 5 LOB
Napoli: 0 for 5, 0 Runs, 0 RBIs, 0 BB, 2 SO, 4 LOB
Middlebrooks: 0 for 4, 1 Run, 0 RBI, 1 BB, 2 SO, 0 LOB
Saltalamacchia: 1 for 2, 1 Double, 2 Runs, 0 RBIs, 3 BBs, 1 SO, 0 LOB
Gomes: 2 for 4, 1 Run, 0 RBI, 1 BB, 0 SO, 2 LOB
Bradley Jr: 0 for 2, 2 Runs, 1 RBI, 3 BBs, 1 SO, 1 LOB
Iglesias: 3 for 5, 1 RBI, 1 Run, 0 BB, 1 SO, 6 LOB

Overall:
I thought the game went well for the Red Sox, especially considering how bad last year was. The Sox showed a lot of life, particularly their younger players, like Bradley and Iglesias. Lester pitched respectively, giving up 2 runs in 5 innings, which is pretty good for his first outing. The bullpen was pretty much lights out, after a few shaky pitches by Miller.

I think Bradley Jr. showed remarkable patience at the plate, especially going against CC Sabathia, for his first major-league showing and drew 3 walks. Most young players I’ve seen have wanted to get that first hit out of the way so quickly that they end up getting out somehow (strike out, fly out, ground out, etc.). Bradley Jr. also made a great running catch in the outfield.

I think the surprise was Iglesias, who is notorious for having a tremendous club with a very sub-average bat. He hit 3 infield singles, showing speed on the bases. He also had a few nice plays at short. I say “nice” because Iglesias is such a remarkable shortstop defensively that he makes hard plays look routine. He currently leads the team with a .600 batting average.

Jonny Gomes also showed some speed on the bases when he ran home from second base on an infield single in the 9th inning. Gomes isn’t exactly known for his speed, and he didn’t stop let up rounding third to see where the ball was in play.

This is a team that looks completely different from how it did last year. Here’s the comparison:

2012 Lineup:
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
David Ortiz, DH
Kevin Youkilis, 3B
Ryan Sweeney, RF
Cody Ross, LF
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Mike Aviles, SS
Starting Pitcher: Jon Lester

2013 Lineup:
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Shane Victorino, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Mike Napoli, 1B
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Jonny Gomes, DH
Jackie Bradley Jr., LF
Jose Iglesias, SS
Starting Pitcher: Jon Lester

Was this the best the team will look this season? By no means, but I think they have a lot more potential than they have in the past. They have prospects in Triple-A that could come into play this year. They have some great pitching in the bullpen (my personal opinion), and I think this team will be the surprise of the season.