The Boston Red Sox are off to a 1-3 start to the 2025 season. As is typically the case this early in the year, some players are overachieving while others have thus far underperformed. There’s no reason to hit the “panic” button just yet — or is there?
What if the opening series against the Texas Rangers is indeed indicative of what awaits over the next 158 games? Let’s overreact to these early results, both the sweet and the sour.
Abreu And Campbell Are All-Stars
Two of the Red Sox’s youngest starters doing the most damage at the dish.
Wilyer Abreu is hitting an absurd .700/.800/1.500 with two home runs and six RBI. The second-year player and reigning American League Gold Glove right fielder has also drawn five walks. If Abreu stays hot, Rob Refsnyder may end up seeing less of the proposed right field platoon than expected.
But the biggest surprise is Kristian Campbell. The rookie second baseman hit a mere .167/.305/.271 in Spring Training yet manager Alex Cora named him the Opening Day starter. Campbell has rewarded that trust with a .429/.500/.786 line to start his big-league career. And he mashed his first home run on March 29.
However, promising as these youngsters are performing, they’re receiving little support from their teammates.
Red Sox Sluggers Can’t Hit
The Red Sox’s two primary power hitters have yet to produce any power. And they only have one hit between them so far.
Designated hitter Rafael Devers’ season began in infamous fashion. On March 29, he became the first major league player to strike out 10 times over the first three games of a season. Though he’s walked twice, he’s still not recorded a hit.
Hall of Famer David Ortiz also famously struggled at DH in his first season with Boston, hitting .212 in April 2003. But he didn’t become the every-day starter until June. For now, Devers is in the lineup, awaiting that first hit and unlikely to be benched. As for direct competition, last year’s DH, Masataka Yoshida, is in Boston receiving consultation for a back injury. He has no timetable for a return.
Fellow slugger Triston Casas has one hit in 16 at-bats and is second behind Devers with seven strikeouts. Less than two weeks ago, Cora said Boston would not platoon at first base. But considering the Casas’ sluggish start, he will likely sit March 31 against Baltimore Orioles’ lefty Cade Povich. Look for Romy Gonzalez to temporarily fill in.
Gold Gloves For Everyone
The entire Red Sox defense has been tremendous. Every infielder and outfielder who’s played thus far currently boasts perfect fielding percentages. The same goes for each pitcher to take the mound.
The lone miscue was a March 29 catcher’s interference call on Carlos Narvaez that allowed Joc Pederson to reach first base. But Narvaez quickly atoned for the error and picked Pederson off to end the inning.
Red Sox Starting Rotation Supremely Average
Red Sox starting pitching looked serviceable in Texas, yet far from dominant.
Tanner Houck and Walker Buehler each gave up seven hits and four runs. After a shaky start on Opening Day, Garrett Crochet settled down, limiting the Rangers to two runs. And in the March 30 series finale, Richard Fitts pitched well through five innings. But in the bottom of the sixth, he surrendered home runs to Wyatt Langford and Adolis García, and took the loss.
Sean Newcomb takes the mound March 31 at Baltimore as starters Brayan Bello, Lucas Giolito, and Kutter Crawford remain on the injured list. Better results are likely ahead in the second starts for All-Stars Crochet, Houck, and Buehler. And Cooper Criswell could find his way back into the rotation if Fitts or Newcomb struggle.
Best Bullpen In Baseball
In 2024, Red Sox relief pitchers had the seventh worst ERA in MLB (4.39). They also gave up the third most hits (616), were tied for the third most home runs (80), and ranked 20th in strikeouts (582).
But over 12 innings in 2025, they’ve yet to allow a run and have given up a measly four hits. Their seven strikeouts against one walk is also impressive, particularly since their work came in close games.
The New York Mets bullpen likewise currently sports a 0.00 ERA, but has given up only three hits and struck out nine. They’ve also pitched 2.8 fewer innings than Boston’s relievers and have given up five more walks. Advantage: Red Sox.
Zero Clutch Hitters
Does anyone on the Red Sox besides Abreu want to knock in any runs?
The biggest story of the Rangers series was Boston hitters going 6-for-41 (.146) with men in scoring position. They left 32 runners on base across the four games.
Those results are especially frustrating when Texas only outscored Boston 13-11 overall. Though Red Sox pitching and defense limited runs, the lineup failed to capitalize on its numerous opportunities to charge ahead. That scoring drought will have to end in a hurry if Boston expects to compete in a crowded American League East.
Main Photo Credits: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
The post Overreactions To The Red Sox Opening Series appeared first on Last Word On Baseball.