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2018 Boston Red Sox season

Major League Baseball season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2018 Boston Red Sox season
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The 2018 Boston Red Sox season was the 118th season in the team's history, and their 107th season at Fenway Park. Under first year manager Alex Cora, the team finished with a 108–54 record, winning the American League East division title for the third consecutive season, and finished eight games ahead of the second-place New York Yankees. The Red Sox were the first MLB team to post 100 wins during the 2018 season, reaching that milestone for the first time since 1946; they were also the first team to clinch a berth in the 2018 postseason.

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The team set a new franchise record for wins in a season by surpassing the prior mark of 105 that had been set in 1912; they also won the most games by any MLB team since the 2001 Seattle Mariners won 116. Mookie Betts finished the season with the Major League batting title, hitting .346, while J. D. Martinez finished second in the majors with .330. Betts also won a Gold Glove and the Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award. Closer Craig Kimbrel became the fastest player in history to reach 300 career saves, finishing the season with 333.

The Red Sox entered the postseason as the top seed in the American League, and defeated the Yankees in four games in the Division Series. They then defeated the defending champion Houston Astros in five games in the Championship Series, advancing to the World Series where they defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games.

The team was later accused of electronic sign stealing. An investigation into the allegation stated that the sign stealing was "limited in scope and impact," but nonetheless resulted in the suspension of a team video replay operator and the loss of a second-round draft pick in the 2020 draft for the organization.[1] Regardless, the team has been considered the best MLB team of the 2010s, one of the best Red Sox teams ever, and one of the best baseball teams since the 1998 New York Yankees.[2][3][4][5]

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Offseason

October 2017

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Field-level premium seating near the first base area
  • On October 11, the Red Sox announced that John Farrell would not return as the team's manager for the 2018 season.[6]
  • On October 22, the Red Sox announced that Alex Cora, who spent 2005–2008 with the club, had signed a three-year deal to become the new manager of the team.[7]
  • On October 25, it was reported that the Red Sox received approval from the Boston Landmarks Commission to add premium seating next to both dugouts.[8] The seats, later branded the Jim Beam Dugout, became available for the 2018 season, at per-game prices starting at $12,500 for 25 guests.[9]
  • On October 26, the Cleveland Indians hired pitching coach Carl Willis and the Chicago Cubs hired hitting coach Chili Davis and third base coach Brian Butterfield.[10]

November 2017

December 2017

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Safety netting near the third base line
  • On December 18, the Red Sox re-signed first baseman Mitch Moreland to a two-year, $13M contract.[16]

January 2018

  • On January 22, it was reported that the safety netting at Fenway Park would be extended down both foul lines; to Section 79 in left field and to Section 9 in right field.[17]

February 2018

  • On February 5—"Truck Day"—equipment for spring training left Fenway Park for JetBlue Park at Fenway South.[18]
  • On February 14, pitchers and catchers had their first workout at spring training.[18]
  • On February 18, the Red Sox re-signed IF Eduardo Núñez to a one-year, $4M deal.[19]
  • On February 19, the team had its first full squad workout at spring training.[18]
  • On February 22, the team played exhibition games against the Northeastern Huskies and the Boston College Eagles;[18] the Red Sox won both games, by scores of 15–2 and 4–2, respectively.[20]
  • On February 23, the team played its first Grapefruit League game, against the Minnesota Twins;[18] the Red Sox won, 4–3.[20]
  • On February 26, the Red Sox announced they signed OF/DH J. D. Martinez to a five-year, $110M deal.[21]
  • On February 28, the Red Sox announced that they had filed a petition with the City of Boston to change the name of Yawkey Way—the street where the main entrance of Fenway Park is located—to its original name, Jersey Street.[22] The change was approved in April 2018, and the name reverted in May 2018.[23]

March 2018

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Regular season

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Opening Day, March 29 at Tampa Bay Rays

The 2018 regular season began on March 29, 2018, against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Manager Alex Cora named Chris Sale as the Red Sox opening day starter opposite Chris Archer.[26][27] The Red Sox built a 4–0 lead through seven innings, including an inside-the-park home run by Eduardo Núñez. Sale pitched six innings, giving up just one hit and walking three, while striking out nine. After Matt Barnes held the Rays scoreless in the seventh inning, Joe Kelly and Carson Smith gave up a total of six runs in the eighth inning, allowing Tampa Bay to take a 6–4 lead. Rays closer Álex Colomé pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the save.[28]

Opening Day lineup

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Opening Day starter Chris Sale
50Mookie BettsRF
16Andrew BenintendiLF
13Hanley Ramírez1B
28J. D. MartinezDH
 2Xander BogaertsSS
11Rafael Devers3B
36Eduardo Núñez2B
19Jackie Bradley Jr.CF
 7Christian VázquezC
41Chris SaleP
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Postseason

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American League Division Series vs. New York Yankees

Boston entered the Division Series as the top seed in the American League, facing New York, the AL Wild Card Game winner. This was the first ALDS meeting between the teams (playoff structure before 2012 precluded teams in the same division from meeting before the Championship Series). After splitting the first two games at Fenway Park, the Red Sox won the next two games at Yankee Stadium, eliminating New York and sending Boston on to the ALCS.

The Red Sox' 16–1 defeat of the Yankees in Game 3, during a misty evening in The Bronx, included two historical footnotes. Firstly, the fifteen-run margin of victory for Boston accounted for the Yankees' worst-ever postseason defeat.[64] The Red Sox failed to score in only the first, fifth, and sixth innings, and generated 7 of their 16 runs in the fourth inning, chasing starter Luis Severino and batting through the order. In addition, Brock Holt hit for the cycle, the first player ever to do so in an MLB postseason game, capping off his performance with a ninth-inning home run against catcher Austin Romine, brought in to pitch when the New York bullpen was overtaxed.[65]

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Chris Sale got the win at Fenway in Game 1.
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Xander Bogaerts hit Boston's only home run in Game 2.
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Brock Holt hit the first postseason cycle in MLB history in Game 3.
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Boston starter Rick Porcello got the win in Game 4, sending the Red Sox to the ALCS.
Game 1, October 5 at Fenway Park
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Game 2, October 6 at Fenway Park
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Game 3, October 8 at Yankee Stadium
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Game 4, October 9 at Yankee Stadium
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American League Championship Series vs. Houston Astros

Boston faced Houston in the Championship Series, a matchup of 100-win teams, and a rematch of the 2017 ALDS, which was won by Houston. After losing Game 1 at Fenway, the Red Sox won the next four games, including three played in Houston, to eliminate the Astros and advance to the World Series. Game 1 starter Chris Sale had a stomach issue during the week, which included brief hospital stay, and manager Alex Cora decided not to have him start Game 5. David Price started in his place and held Houston scoreless through six innings while allowing just three hits and striking out nine. It was Price's first win in 12 career postseason starts. Jackie Bradley Jr., who had nine RBIs in the series on three hits (a double and two home runs), was named ALCS MVP.[66]

Game 1, October 13 at Fenway Park
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Mitch Moreland had a bases loaded walk in Game 1 for Boston's first RBI of the ALCS.
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A three-RBI double by Jackie Bradley Jr. gave the Red Sox a 5–4 lead in Game 2.
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Steve Pearce, seen here with the Orioles in 2012, hit a go-ahead home run in the 6th inning of Game 3.
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Andrew Benintendi had two doubles, scored twice, and made a game-ending diving catch in Game 4.
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Boston starter David Price struck out nine and got the Game 5 win, as Boston advanced to the World Series.
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Game 2, October 14 at Fenway Park
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Game 3, October 16 at Minute Maid Park
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Game 4, October 17 at Minute Maid Park
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Game 5, October 18 at Minute Maid Park
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World Series vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

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Eduardo Núñez hit a three-run homer in the 7th inning of Game 1.
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Boston starter David Price got the win in Game 2, his second win of the 2018 postseason.
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Nathan Eovaldi pitched six innings of relief in Game 3, holding the Dodgers to three hits, but ultimately taking the loss in the 18th inning.
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Steve Pearce had four RBIs and scored twice in Boston's Game 4 win.
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Mookie Betts hit the first postseason home run of his career in Game 5.
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Alex Cora, seen here as a player in 2008, led the Red Sox to the World Series championship in his first year as manager.

The Red Sox and Dodgers franchises met in the World Series for the second time; the first was a Boston win in 1916. Game 1 was highlighted by neither Chris Sale nor Clayton Kershaw making it through the fifth inning, and a pinch hit three-run home run by Eduardo Núñez, as Boston won, 8–4. Game 2 starter David Price held the Dodgers to two runs on three hits in six innings, while striking out five, picking up his second win of the postseason, as the Red Sox won, 4–2. Game 3 became the longest game in World Series history, both in innings (18) and by time (7 hours and 20 minutes). Nathan Eovaldi pitched six innings in relief, allowing only two hits prior to a walk-off home run by Max Muncy for a 3–2 Dodgers win. Eduardo Rodríguez started Game 4, holding the Dodgers scoreless through five innings, but then yielding four runs in the sixth. The Red Sox stormed back with help from Mitch Moreland and Steve Pearce, scoring nine runs in the final three innings, winning the game, 9–6, for a 3–1 series lead. Game 5 started with three first-inning runs, with Boston holding a 2–1 edge. There was no further scoring until the Red Sox scored one run in each of the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings. Price, pitching on short rest, held the Dodgers to one run on three hits in seven innings. Game 1 starter Chris Sale was brought in to close the ninth inning. The game ended in a 5–1 final for Boston, the franchise's fourth World Series championship in 15 years. Price got the win, his second of the World Series and third of the postseason. Pearce had three RBIs on two home runs in the game, giving him a total of three home runs and eight RBIs in the series—he was named World Series MVP. The team's motto during the season, "do damage",[67] became "damage done" upon their victory.[68]

Game 1, October 23 at Fenway Park
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Game 2, October 24 at Fenway Park
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Game 3, October 26 at Dodger Stadium
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Game 4, October 27 at Dodger Stadium
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Game 5, October 28 at Dodger Stadium
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Postseason rosters

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Season standings

American League East

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Record against opponents

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Roster

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2018 Boston Red Sox
Roster
Pitchers Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders Manager

Coaches

MLB debuts

Red Sox players who made their MLB debuts during the 2018 regular season:

Transactions

Notable transactions of/for players on the 40-man roster during the 2018 regular season:

Amateur draft

Boston's first 15 selections in the 2018 MLB draft, held on June 4–6, are listed below.[79]

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Elih Marrero is the son of former MLB player Eli Marrero.[80]
Nicholas Lucky did not sign; he chose to attend Coastal Carolina.[81][82]

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Game log

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Red Sox Win Red Sox Loss Game Postponed Clinched Playoff Spot Clinched Division
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Postseason game log

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Grand slams

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Jackie Bradley Jr. had a grand slam in ALCS Game 3.
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postseason game

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Mookie Betts' cycle was the first in MLB during the 2018 season.

Cycles

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Holt's cycle was the first in MLB postseason history.[86]

Ejections

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Joe Kelly was ejected on April 11 following a fight with Tyler Austin of the New York Yankees.
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postseason game

Source:[87]

Alumni game

The team held an alumni game on May 27, before a home game against the Atlanta Braves; it was the Red Sox' first such game since 1993.[88] Dwight Evans and Luis Tiant acted as managers, assisted by bench coaches Joe Morgan and Jim Rice, respectively. The four-inning exhibition was won by Tiant's team, as Julio Lugo hit a two-run homer off of Pedro Martínez for the only runs in the game.[89] Other Red Sox alumni participating included Wade Boggs, Oil Can Boyd, Mike Greenwell, Bill Lee, Derek Lowe, Mike Lowell, and Troy O'Leary.[89][90]

Detailed records

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Statistics

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Please note only the statistics from playing with the Red Sox are included in this list.

Postseason batting

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Postseason pitching

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Regular season batting

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases; BB = Walks; AVG = Batting average; Ref. = Reference

Top ten batters shown. Qualified batters in bold.
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Top 10 hitters determined by fWAR:[125]

Regular season pitching

Note: G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; WHIP = Walks plus hits per inning pitched; IP = Innings pitched; H = Hits allowed; R = Total runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts; Ref. = Reference

Top ten pitchers shown. Qualified pitchers in bold.
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Top 10 pitchers determined by fWAR:[137]

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Awards and honors

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Farm system

Source:[162]

Allegations of electronic sign stealing

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On January 7, 2020, The Athletic published a report alleging that the Red Sox broke MLB rules by using a video replay room during 2018 regular season games to decipher the signs of opposing catchers, according to three unnamed sources who were with the team that year.[163] This news broke while the league was already investigating the Houston Astros for also allegedly stealing signs electronically during their 2017 season.[164] Alex Cora, who managed the Red Sox in 2018, had served as bench coach for the Astros in 2017.[165] MLB launched an investigation.[166]

This was not the first time the Red Sox were investigated for alleged electronic sign stealing. During the 2017 season, they were fined by MLB for using an Apple Watch to relay stolen signs to hitters in games against the New York Yankees.[167] On September 15, 2017, commissioner Rob Manfred had said in regards to the investigation into Boston's illicit use of an Apple Watch: "I have received absolute assurances from the Red Sox that there will be no future violations of this type."[168][169]

On April 22, 2020, commissioner Manfred issued his report from the investigation,[1] determining that the Red Sox replay operator had "utilized the game feeds in the replay room" to decode sign sequences but those actions were "limited in scope and impact", as the decoding only happened during some occurrences of the opposing team having a runner on second base and were not known to "then-Manager Alex Cora, the Red Sox coaching staff, the Red Sox front office, or most of the players".[1] The video replay operator was suspended for the 2020 season and the team forfeited their second-round selection in the 2020 MLB draft. Cora was separately suspended for a year for his actions in the Houston situation.[170]

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See also

References

Further reading

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