BOSTON — April 4, 2025, was a special day for the entire city of Boston, with Fenway Park buzzing in anticipation of a significant victory against the St. Louis Cardinals. The energy was palpable as the Red Sox celebrated their home opener, culminating in a thrilling 13-9 win that showcased their offensive prowess and defensive heroics.
In a game that started with a bang, the Red Sox exploded for five runs in the first inning against Cardinals' starter Erick Fedde. The crowd erupted as Alex Bregman, making his debut at Fenway, belted an RBI double in his first home plate appearance. Manager Alex Cora, reflecting on the excitement, noted, "That’s a different first inning than the last few home openers. It was the other way around the last few years, and for us to score five, I was thinking about it… that feels a lot better.”
But the excitement didn’t stop there. Trevor Story, who missed last year’s home opener due to surgery, made a triumphant return by smashing a three-run homer that deflected off a sign behind the Monster Seats. Story expressed his joy, saying, "Just being a year removed from all that went on last year. I missed the home opener, so, this was a special, special day for me. And to have my family here, especially since we got the win. They were able to see it, they were in the stands. Yeah, good day.”
As the game progressed, the Cardinals attempted to claw back into contention. They managed to score nine runs, but the Red Sox's offense was relentless. Seven of the first eight hitters in the lineup recorded multihit games, demonstrating the depth and capability of the Red Sox batting order. Cora remarked, "Early and late. I think we have that type of offense, those three guys [at the top] — [Jarren] Duran, [Rafael] Devers, Bregman — any day we can score quick. And then when [Triston] Casas and Trevor and the rest of them are swinging the bat the way they are, we become very dangerous.”
Defensively, Jarren Duran made a highlight-reel catch in the top of the seventh inning, showcasing his speed and agility. With the Red Sox leading 8-5, Duran leaped to snag a solid hit from Masyn Winn that was destined for extra bases, preventing a potential comeback from the Cardinals. The catch drew applause from the mound, with pitcher Kelly expressing gratitude for the damage averted.
Friday’s game marked a historic moment for Cora, as it was his first home game victory since his debut season in 2018, and Boston's first as a team since 2020. The Red Sox, who finished below .500 at home the last two years and have struggled at Fenway since 2021, finally seem poised to make a statement this season.
However, the excitement was tempered by the weather forecast for Saturday, April 5, 2025. The anticipated game between the Cardinals and the Red Sox was postponed due to inclement weather, leading to a rescheduling as a doubleheader on Sunday, April 6. The first game of the doubleheader is set to start at 12:35 PM CT/1:35 PM EST, followed by the second game at 6:10 PM CT/7:10 PM EST.
The Cardinals are eager to bounce back after the loss, with their offense currently tied for third in the league in runs scored. They will send Andre Pallante to the mound for the first game, while the Red Sox will counter with Sean Newcomb, who is making his first start at Fenway Park in a Red Sox uniform. Newcomb, a local product, is expected to bring additional energy to the mound.
As the teams prepare for the doubleheader, the Red Sox head into Sunday riding a three-game winning streak, having won two out of three against the Baltimore Orioles earlier in the week. The anticipation builds as fans look forward to seeing if the Red Sox can maintain their momentum against the Cardinals.
The rescheduled games will be broadcasted on NESN and ESPN, with both games available on the radio via WEEI 93.7 FM and in Spanish on WESX 1230 AM/WCCM 1490 AM. Fans holding tickets for Saturday's game will be admitted to the early game on Sunday, ensuring that the excitement continues despite the weather interruptions.
With the energy of Fenway Park and the promise of a competitive series, the Red Sox are looking to capitalize on their home advantage and continue their strong start to the season. As the players gear up for the doubleheader, the hope is that the rain will hold off long enough for both games to be played, allowing the Red Sox to showcase their talents on their home turf once again.
