In December, Price signed the largest contract ever for a pitcher, and now, here he was, walking to the mound on the coldest Opening Day in Cleveland in 99 years (34 degrees, 8-mph wind) and representing something the Sox have lacked since they traded Jon Lester 20 months ago: a true ace. Boston won the last Opening Day meeting, 7-1, on April 5, 1979.
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Ortiz, 40, has the third most home runs among active players behind Alex Rodriguez (687) and Albert Pujols (560).
He’s appeared in just two in his brief career, and homered both times – a year ago in Philadelphia and again Tuesday in Cleveland.
Farrell said the Red Sox could recall Henry Owens or another starter from Triple-A Pawtucket in the event of a doubleheader on Thursday.
According to the Indians, this was their coldest opener in franchise history. Ortiz, who hit 37 home runs last season, will retire at the end of this year. The former Red Sox first baseman had actually enjoyed a more successful plate appearance as one of the two walks in that second inning.
Indians: RHP Carlos Carrasco will face the Red Sox for the first time since 2011.
METS 2, ROYALS 0 Noah Syndergaard threw six scoreless innings, Neil Walker hit his first home run with the Mets and NY beat host Kansas City after the Royals were given their 2015 World Series rings. One victory. Price, even with a new $217 million payday, can’t pitch every day. This time the weather did not interfere with the start time of the game.
Kluber threw 5 1/3 innings, allowed four runs on nine hits and struck out five in his 2016 season debut.
There’s a lot to talk about here, but in the first game of the 2016 season, there’s no question who was really center stage here. But increased arm strength was most encouraging today.
Betts announced his MVP candidacy by going 2 for 5 with a two-run homer in the third inning and a leaping catch to take extra bases away from Rajai Davis in the fifth inning.
How many starts he can be expected to make remains in question. He’s the longest-tenured member of the team’s staff. Buchholz went 7-7 last season, but made only 18 starts because of a strained elbow. Alex Colome (1-0) went the final two innings to get the win.
His counterpart, meanwhile, is coming off a particularly impressive conclusion to his first 30-start season. But Price shut Cleveland down from there.
Following Corey Kluber in the rotation along with Danny Salazar, the Indians are hoping for big things. “I wish he would have retired this year”. “Super athletic. Happy to have him here as always and he’s enjoyable to watch”. “The other two, we’ve had to guide into that direction and they’re getting there”. First pitch is set for 6:10 p.m.
Ortiz capped the Boston scoring with a two-run homer in the ninth off Trevor Bauer.
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It’s not like John Farrell is going to pinch-hit Rusney Castillo for Holt, and he surely is unlikely to hit Pablo Sandoval – who has struggled mightily from the right side – for Shaw. 178 in spring training, hit the ground running on Opening Day.
