It’s not too often that a club has its regular-season schedule changed before reporting to spring training. But that’s exactly the case for the Boston Red Sox.
Manager Alex Cora and company were slated to begin a west coast swing on Saturday, June 20 with a scheduled doubleheader against the Seattle Mariners.
That built into the schedule a travel day on Friday, June 19 as the Red Sox finish a six-game homestand on Thursday, June 18.
So much for the best-laid plans.
“The first game of our previously scheduled split doubleheader vs. the Red Sox on Saturday, June 20, has been moved to 7:10 p.m. (PT) on Friday, June 19. Additionally, Saturday night’s fireworks show has been moved to Friday night,” the Mariners posted on X.
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“Red Sox had a scheduled doubleheader in Seattle on June 20 because of the World Cup but that is no longer happening, apparently. They lose an off day to start the first of three trips to the west coast in 5.5 weeks,” Masslive.com’s Chris Cotillo noted.
His reporting is backed by a post from the Mariners’ Communications department:
“The original doubleheader was scheduled to avoid potential conflicts with World Cup matches at Lumen Field. Friday’s USA vs. Australia World Cup match scheduled for 12:00 pm PT provided the opportunity for Seattle and Boston to play a traditional 3-game series Friday, Saturday and Sunday.”
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Luckily, Boston’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday, June 18 begins at 1:35 p.m. So unless the game goes long or weather causes delays, the Red Sox still have a getaway day.
However Cotillo noted the Red Sox will be packing and unpacking a lot heading into the All-Star break.
“Sox going Boston to Seattle, Denver to Boston to Anaheim, Chicago, NYC to Boston to Sacramento, LA is a little wacky in June/July,” Cotillo posted on X.
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And here’s why:
June 19-24: At Seattle Mariners, at Colorado Rockies
June 25-July 1: Home vs. New York Yankees, Home vs. Washington Nationals
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July 3-12: At Los Angeles Angels, at Chicago White Sox, at New York Mets
After that, Red Sox players selected to the All-Star Game will make their way to Philadelphia, with the Phillies hosting the Midsummer Classic at Citizens Bank Park as the nation celebrates its 250th birthday.
