TEXAS--Two teams looking to jump back into American League contention clash in a season-opening series as the Texas Rangers host the Boston Red Sox. The first of four games is set for Thursday afternoon in Arlington, Texas.
Following three straight playoff misses, the Red Sox made an offseason splash by adding the likes of former All-Star infielder Alex Bregman, starting pitchers Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler, and closer Aroldis Chapman.
"These players are winning players. We have winning coaches here. I plan on winning here," said Bregman, who was a two-time World Series champion with the Houston Astros. "I can see that there's something special here."
Bregman brings a right-handed power bat and joins three-time All-Star third baseman and now-likely designated hitter Rafael Devers for the Red Sox, but it all starts on the mound with an unquestioned ace for the first time in years.
Crochet, who will start on Opening Day ahead of Tanner Houck and Buehler, is excited for a new beginning with a hopeful contender after pitching for the lowly Chicago White Sox last season. He went 6-12 with a 3.58 ERA and 209 strikeouts in 32 starts.
The 25-year-old lefty dominated this spring, striking out 30 with a 0.57 ERA in 15 2/3 innings. But he made an all-around first impression.
"It's special stuff," Wong said. "Being on the other side, you knew he just had very nasty (stuff), but he takes a lot of time working on it and preparing and he has a really good idea of what he wants to do."
Boston's roster will also include highly-rated prospect Kristian Campbell, who climbed three levels and hit 20 home runs en route to earning Baseball America's 2024 Minor League Player of the Year.
Campbell could be the everyday second baseman, but like teammate Ceddanne Rafaela, he can play both infield and outfield.
"Very wild (rise). But he's a mature kid and a physical kid. He's a quick learner, a learner by observation," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "We've just got to be patient. You know there's going to be some good things, some tough things, and some ugly things, but we can live with it."
The Rangers were really never competitive a season after their 2023 World Series title. Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer -- now a Toronto Blue Jay -- were limited to just 12 combined starts, while the Corey Seager-led offense fell off considerably.
The addition of designated hitter Joc Pederson provides some pop, but entering Opening Day, there are still significant question marks due to health.
Seager was active most of the spring following sports hernia surgery last September but missed Monday's exhibition game with "a little tightness" in his calf, according to manager Bruce Bochy.
Holding out the five-time All-Star shortstop was more of a precautionary move, but given his injury history, there could be concern.
"We'll make sure we take care of him before we open up here," Bochy said.
Cody Bradford and Jon Gray are missing from the starting rotation to begin the season, which has former Red Sox righty Nathan Eovaldi (12-8, 3.80) at the top to start Thursday.
"It's a huge honor to be able to take the ball (on Opening Day), to signify that baseball is back," Eovaldi said. "It's what we work for in the entire offseason, spring training. ... And to me, it's about being healthy, too."
The Rangers need that. After Tyler Mahle on Friday, the rotation carries some uncertainty.
Former Vanderbilt stars Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker will fill the last two spots in the rotation. The duo has considerable upside but only a combined nine major league starts on their resume.
"I love the talent we have. There are going to be some bumps in the road with young pitchers, I get that. They've got to go through that at the big league level," Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young said. "We've got to balance those things with veteran players who know how to take the ball and go out and compete."
