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Boston's Morning Newsletter
Opening Day at Fenway: Who and what to look out for as the Red Sox rebuild
Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from WBUR's daily morning newsletter, WBUR Today. If you like what you read and want it in your inbox, sign up here.
The eclipse excitement and Bonnie Tyler references are over. Before you keep scrolling through more photos of the awe-inspiring celestial event — and chuckling at the eclipse glasses selfies in the family group chat — let’s get to the news:
A case for Sox-ptimism: Fenway Park comes back to life this afternoon, as the Red Sox play their first home game of 2024 against the Baltimore Orioles. After two straight 78-84 seasons (and an underwhelming offseason), the expectations for the team this year aren’t especially high. But according to longtime Boston Globe columnist Bob Ryan, there are reasons for optimism. Following his recent appearance on Radio Boston, Ryan talked to WBUR’s Fausto Menard about why he thinks the rebuilding Sox team will “at least” be more fun to watch this year.
- What names should I know? Ryan says he’s excited to see young talents like power-hitter Triston Casas and center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela, who’s already made some spectacular catches. If they stay healthy, speedster Jarren Duran and shortstop Trevor Story (welp) should make some highlights, too. And, of course, third baseman Rafael Devers is in the prime of his career.
- The big question is on the mound. Chris Sale is gone, which means 24-year-old Brayan Bello will be the team’s top starter. Ryan says there’s “a lot to like” about Bello, who could become a “cornerstone” of the team’s future. But overall, he says the rotation will likely hold the team back. “The pitching just isn’t championship caliber,” he said.
- So, will they be good? Well, good is relative. Ryan says the AL East is the “toughest division in baseball,” with the Yankees and Orioles among the early World Series favorites. So, another .500 season is more likely than the playoffs for the Sox. “They’re going to have their hands full there, but I don’t think they’re going to be as artistically awful as many people think,” Ryan said.
- PSA: If you’re going to the game, get there early. Before the 2:10 p.m. first pitch, the Sox are planning to honor members of the 2004 curse-breaking World Series team, including the late Tim Wakefield. The Red Sox will wear a patch this season bearing Wakefield’s number, 49, and fans at the game today will get a matching pin.
- More than Fenway Franks: From a one-pound cookie to Irish nachos, here’s a roundup of the newest eats at the stadium, courtesy of The Boston Globe.
The March Madness grand finale: UConn cinched the NCAA championship last night after beating Purdue 75-60, making them the first team since 2007 to take back-to-back national championship titles. UConn also became the sixth team ever to win all six tournament games by double-digit margins. “Obviously, what can you say?” said Coach Dan Hurley. “We won — by a lot — again.”
Week two: About 3,000 Boston University grad student workers are heading into their second week on the picket line. The student workers are demanding for a new contract that raises pay to better match the cost of living in the area — a trend that follows a nationwide uptick in grad student labor strikes. BU shared in a letter to faculty and staff yesterday that union leaders have refused their offer for federal labor mediation during the negotiations. (Editor’s note: WBUR’s license is owned by BU.)
Heads up: Most of the Blue Line is going dark early for the next three nights. Tonight through Thursday, subway service between Bowdoin and Orient Heights will be suspended at 8 p.m. so crews can do infrastructure work and a deep-clean of the stations.
- Shuttles will stop at every station between Government Center and Orient Heights. (Yes, that means late-night Bowdoin station riders will have to schlep up the street.)
P.S.— You could say “everything aligned” for this Massachusetts couple who got engaged in Vermont during the eclipse. Cheers to you two!
