5 Storylines From The Boston Red Sox 2014 Schedule

5 Boston Red Sox Storylines Following 2014 Schedule Release

The 2014 MLB schedule came out on Tuesday, highlighted by the opening series being between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks at the historic Sydney Cricket Grounds in Sydney, Australia, but there are some things that jump out on the Boston Red Sox schedule as well.

Before getting to the top five storylines coming out of the schedule release for the Red Sox, let’s look at some things that didn’t make that list.

Opening day, the Red Sox will be at Camden Yards to take on the Baltimore Orioles. The O’s are currently nine games back of the Red Sox in the AL East, but just 2.5 games out of the Wild Card. They have been a good test for the Red Sox the past couple years and the Sox will have to be in mid-season form from day one next year.

The Red Sox get the NL Central in interleague play this season. That means they have to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates, and Cincinnati Reds, all with winning records this season, and get a home series against the Atlanta Braves, another winning team. Interleague play will be a big test for the Red Sox.

The schedule will obviously develop several more storylines as the season and offseason progress, playoff rematches will be highlighted, as will free agent signing storylines, but since those have not yet developed, here are the top five storylines to take from the Red Sox 2014 schedule.

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5. Home Opener is Against Milwaukee Brewers and Currently Suspended Ryan Braun

Yes, the first home game for the Boston Red Sox will be against the team with a player currently suspended for the season, Ryan Braun. While there is little doubt the incredibly polarizing Braun will be booed about as loudly as anyone next year, the real thing to look for will be the signs. Boston Red Sox fans do a great job of showing up to the ballpark with some creative signs, there should be some classic signs in Fenway for the home opener.

4. 19 games Against New York Yankees, Including the Final 3 of Season

The Boston Red Sox get their typical 19 games against the New York Yankees, including the final three games of the season at the lovely confines of Fenway Park. In 2013, the Yankees did not travel to Boston until after the All-Star break, but they will make their first visit to Fenway on April 22.

3. Welcome back Theo Epstein

The Boston Red Sox only face two teams from the NL that will finish the 2013 season with a losing record, but one is the Chicago Cubs and it will be in Fenway. There's no telling if Theo Epstein will travel with the team to visit his old club, but for the storyline sake, here is to hoping he does.

2. 20-Day Stretch of 20 Games in June

Usually when the schedule comes out, some fans immediately look for rivalries or what games they want to get out to see. But there is one thing all players look for: the worst stretch of the season. By worst stretch, I am referring to the longest stretch of games without a day off. That stretch comes in the middle of June for the Boston Red Sox when they have 20 games in 20 days.

1. Patriot’s Day, One Year Later

We all remember the tragic events in Boston, Patriot’s Day 2013. You bet it is going to be a huge event in Boston in 2014. The Boston bombings have reportedly not scared people away from the Boston Marathon, early reports are the 2014 marathon will set a record for participants. The Baltimore Orioles will be in Fenway on April 21 to celebrate Patriot’s Day. It will be must-see TV, not for the baseball, but for the incredible emotion the day will certainly carry.