Red Sox Legend David Ortiz Throws First Pitch at Fenway Amid Crucial Yankees Series
Before a pivotal game against the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox fans welcomed back a beloved figure: David Ortiz. "Big Papi" threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Fenway Park on Saturday, adding to the electric atmosphere surrounding the crucial series.
A Weekend of Red Sox Legends
Pedro Martinez initiated the series by throwing the first pitch on Friday night. The appearance of David Ortiz on Saturday continued the theme of honoring the 2004 World Series champions. While his pitch to manager Alex Cora didn't land as a strike, the crowd showed immense appreciation for the former designated hitter.
Big Papi’s ceremonial first pitch at Fenway 🔥 pic.twitter.com/DTOx9MCi7T
— NESN (@NESN) September 13, 2025
Ortiz's Impact on the Red Sox-Yankees Rivalry
David Ortiz holds a legendary status, particularly concerning games against the Yankees. His career stats against the "Evil Empire" are impressive: a .303/.394/.567 batting line with 53 home runs in 243 games. His clutch performance in the 2004 ALCS comeback solidified his place in Red Sox history, especially with his dramatic home runs in Games 5 and 6.
Red Sox Offense Seeking a Spark
Currently, the Red Sox lineup needs a boost in power. Aside from Trevor Story (24 home runs) and the injured Wilyer Abreu (22 home runs), the team's offensive production has been lacking. Before Saturday's game, their post-All-Star break OPS was ranked 16th in MLB (.723). Boston only managed two hits in Friday's game, showcasing their struggles.
Series Implications and Game Preview
The Yankees have a narrow lead over the Red Sox in the wild-card standings. This series, the final head-to-head matchup of the regular season, is crucial for playoff aspirations. The series commenced with Lucas Giolito pitching for the Red Sox against the Yankees' Luis Gil. New York scored two runs in the top of the first against Brayan Bello.
Game 149: Yankees at Red Sox - Details
- Pitching Matchup: RHP Lucas Giolito vs. RHP Luis Gil
- Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
- TV: Apple TV+
- Radio: WEEI-FM 93.7
Lineups
Yankees (81-65)
Grisham CF, Judge DH, Rice 1B, Bellinger RF, Stanton LF, Chisholm 2B, Wells C, Caballero SS, McMahon 3B
Red Sox (81-66)
Duran LF, Bregman 3B, Story SS, Lowe 1B, Yoshida DH, Narváez C, Hamilton 2B, Eaton RF, Rafaela CF
Key Stats
- New York's starting pitchers have excelled, allowing two or fewer earned runs in 15 of their last 17 games.
- Lucas Giolito is 3-2 with a 4.99 ERA in six career starts against the Yankees.
Injury Updates
The Red Sox placed lefthander Brennan Bernardino on the 15-Day Injured List with a left lat strain and called up lefthander Chris Murphy from Triple-A Worcester.
