2020 Boston Red Sox season

The 2020 Boston Red Sox season was the 120th season in the team's history, and their 109th season at Fenway Park. The team entered spring training with a new leader in baseball operations, Chaim Bloom, and a new field manager, Ron Roenicke.
On March 12, 2020, MLB announced that because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the start of the regular season would be delayed by at least two weeks in addition to the remainder of spring training being cancelled. Four days later, it was announced that the start of the season would be pushed back indefinitely due to the recommendation made by the CDC to restrict events of more than 50 people for eight weeks. On June 23, MLB announced that pre-season training would resume by July 1, in anticipation of a regular season of 60 games.
The season was held without fans at Fenway Park due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The Red Sox began their regular season on July 24, in a home game against the Baltimore Orioles. On September 12, the team suffered its 31st loss, assuring them of finishing the season with a losing record, their first since 2015. On September 27, prior to the team's final regular season game, the Red Sox announced that Roenicke would not return as manager for the 2021 season. The team ended the season with a record of 24 wins and 36 losses, finishing in last place in the American League East division, 16 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays. Boston's .400 winning percentage was the lowest for the franchise since the 1965 Red Sox finished with a .383 winning percentage (62–100). Average television viewership for Red Sox games broadcast by NESN fell by 54% from 2019 figures, the largest drop of the 25 MLB teams reporting viewership data.
Offseason.
The team completed its 2019 season with interim executive leadership, as Brian O'Halloran, Eddie Romero, Zack Scott, and Raquel Ferreira oversaw baseball operations following the September 9 dismissal of Dave Dombrowski, president of baseball operations. As the season came to a close, principal owner John W. Henry and chairman Tom Werner stated that they want the team to get its payroll under the Major League Baseball luxury tax threshold. The team's 2019 payroll of $243 million was $37 million over the $206 million threshold, resulting in the team paying $13 million in luxury tax. The 2020 threshold was set at $208 million.
Regular season.
On July 6, MLB announced the revised 2020 regular-season schedule—"each team will play a regionally based schedule featuring 40 divisional games and 20 Interleague games against the corresponding geographical division." The Red Sox' opponents:
 The Blue Jays' home ballpark during the 2020 regular season was Sahlen Field in Buffalo, New York. One game postponed in Buffalo was played in Boston, with the Red Sox batting as the away team.
Original schedule.
Key dates of the team's "original" 2020 schedule, prior to impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, were as follows:
Opening Day lineup.
Source: 
July.
July 24–July 26, vs. Baltimore Orioles
Boston's 2020 regular season began on July 24 in a home game against the Baltimore Orioles. The Red Sox took a 4–0 lead after three innings, a 10–0 lead through four innings, and went on to win comfortably, 13–2. Starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi got the win, pitching six innings while allowing five hits and one run; he struck out four batters. The second game of the series was a 7–2 win by Baltimore, with Martín Pérez taking the loss in his debut game with the Red Sox. Mitch Moreland hit Boston's first home run of the season. Baltimore won the final game of the series, 7–4, with Boston starter Ryan Weber taking the loss. Christian Vázquez and Kevin Pillar hit home runs for the Red Sox.
July 27–July 28, vs. New York Mets
In the opening game of a two-game home series against the Mets, New York built an early 7–1 lead through four innings, and went on to win, 7–4. Josh Osich, pitching as an opener, took the loss in his first start for the Red Sox. Mitch Moreland and Xander Bogaerts hit home runs for Boston. The second game of the series was also a Mets win, 8–3, giving the Red Sox their fourth consecutive loss. Matt Hall took the loss in his first MLB start. Kevin Pillar was 3-for-4 with two doubles.
July 29–July 30, at New York Mets
Playing another two-game series against the Mets, this time in New York, Boston won the first game, 6–5. Starter Nathan Eovaldi allowed two runs on eight hits in five innings for a no decision. With a late 6–3 lead, Matt Barnes allowed a run in the eighth, and closer Brandon Workman allowed a run in the ninth. Workman, who earned his first save of the season, escaped more trouble as the Mets sent seven men to the plate in the ninth. Heath Hembree, who struck out the only batter he faced to end the seventh inning, got the win. Christian Vázquez had a home run and three RBIs. The second game of the series was also a Boston win, 4–2. Starter Martín Pérez got the win, and Workman earned his second save. Vázquez again had three RBIs, coming on two home runs.
July 31, at New York Yankees (start of 3-game series)
In the first game of a three-game series at Yankee Stadium, the Red Sox scored first on a Michael Chavis home run, but lost to the Yankees, 5–1. Starter Ryan Weber allowed three runs and issued four walks in innings and took the loss. The Red Sox exited July with a 3–5 record.
August.
August 1–August 2, at New York Yankees (end of 3-game series)
New York won the second game of the series, 5–2, largely due to a second-inning grand slam by Gio Urshela off of Boston starter Zack Godley, who took the loss. Kevin Pillar was the only Red Sox batter with two hits, as the team fell to 3–6. The Yankees complete the sweep on Sunday with a 9–7 victory. In a game with multiple lead changes, two home runs and five RBIs by Aaron Judge led the Yankees to the win. Boston reliever Matt Barnes, who allowed three runs in the eighth inning, took the loss. The Red Sox had three home runs; two by Xander Bogaerts and one by Rafael Devers.
August 4–August 5, at Tampa Bay Rays
Boston lost the first game of a two-game series to Tampa Bay, 5–1. Starter Nathan Eovaldi took the loss, allowing four runs on six hits in five innings while striking out six batters. Boston's run came on a Mitch Moreland home run. Boston won the second game of the series, 5–0, to end their losing streak of four games. Starting pitcher Martín Pérez went five innings and got the win, holding the Rays to four hits while walking three and striking out four. Alex Verdugo and Michael Chavis each homered for the Red Sox.
August 7–August 9, vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Boston won the first game of a three-game series, 5–3. Alex Verdugo had two home runs, while Mitch Moreland also homered and had three RBIs. Starting pitcher Ryan Weber allowed five hits and two runs in three innings, getting a no decision. Reliever Heath Hembree, who pitched the fourth inning, got the win. The second game of the series was won by Toronto, 2–1. Boston's run came on a second-inning RBI by Christian Vázquez; the Blue Jays tied the game in the seventh, then took the lead in the eighth. Red Sox starter Zack Godley got a no decision after four innings of work; the loss went to Marcus Walden. Boston won the third game of the series, 5–3, powered by two home runs and three RBIs from Moreland. Starter Nathan Eovaldi went six innings, striking out 10 batters and getting a no decision. Reliever Matt Barnes got the win, retiring the side in order in the top of the ninth inning, which was followed by a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth by Moreland.
August 10–August 13, vs. Tampa Bay Rays
In the opening game of a four-game series, each team used six pitchers in a nine-inning game that lasted 4 hours and 24 minutes, with Tampa Bay winning, 8–7. Jeffrey Springs, who allowed three runs in relief, took the loss. J. D. Martinez hit his first home run of the year, while Jonathan Araúz collected his first MLB hit and finished the game 3-for-4 with two RBIs. The Rays won the second game of the series, 8–2. Red Sox starter Martín Pérez, who left the game with Tampa Bay ahead by a single run, took the loss, having allowed two runs on three hits in innings. Boston reliever Austin Brice allowed five runs during the Rays' six-run seventh inning. The Rays took the third game of the series, 9–5. Down 8–0, the Red Sox scored all of their runs in the eighth inning, which included the team's first grand slam of the season, by J. D. Martinez. Boston starter Zack Godley allowed eight runs on 10 hits in three innings, taking the loss. Reliever Ryan Weber held Tampa Bay to one run on five hits in six innings of work. Tampa Bay completed the sweep with a 17–8 win in the final game of the series. Boston starter Kyle Hart, making his major league debut, allowed seven runs (five earned) on seven hits and three walks in two innings of work, and took the loss. In the ninth inning, the Red Sox used infielder José Peraza and catcher Kevin Plawecki as pitchers, infielder Tzu-Wei Lin as a catcher, and catcher Christian Vázquez as a second baseman.
August 14–August 17, at New York Yankees
Boston lost the opener of a four-game series to New York, 10–3, with starting pitcher Colten Brewer taking the loss. Alex Verdugo homered for the Red Sox. The Yankees took the second game of the series, 11–5, with starter Nathan Eovaldi taking the loss. Verdugo and Xander Bogaerts each homered for the Red Sox. The Red Sox lost the third game, 4–2, as the Yankees got three RBIs from first baseman Mike Ford. Starter Chris Mazza took the loss, while Kevin Pillar homered for Boston. New York completed the sweep with a 6–3 win in a rain delayed game, extending Boston's losing streak to eight games. Starter Martín Pérez took the loss after allowing three runs on two hits and three walks in three innings.
August 18–August 19, vs. Philadelphia Phillies
In the first game of a two-game set, Boston held a 4–2 lead through five innings, only to give up seven runs in the top of the sixth, en route to a 13–6 defeat. Josh Taylor took the loss, allowing three runs on two hits in of an inning. Heath Hembree allowed four runs on four hits and a walk, facing five batters without recording an out. Michael Chavis became the fourth batter in Red Sox franchise history to strike out five times in a game. The Red Sox won the second and final game of the series, 6–3, ending the losing streak at nine games. Austin Brice got the win, pitching innings of scoreless relief. Rafael Devers homered and had three RBIs.
August 20–August 23, at Baltimore Orioles
The Red Sox won the first game of a four-game series against the Orioles, 7–1. Started Nathan Eovaldi earned his second win of the season, holding Baltimore to one run on five hits in seven innings while striking out six batters. Xander Bogaerts and Mitch Moreland each homered. Boston next won their third game in a row, via an 8–5 win over Baltimore. Darwinzon Hernández earned the win, after pitching two innings of scoreless relief; Matt Barnes earned his first save of the season, following the trade of Brandon Workman. Bogaerts, J. D. Martinez, and Rafael Devers each homered. The third game of the series went into extra innings, with Baltimore outscoring Boston in the 10th inning, 2–1, for a 5–4 win. The Red Sox had held a 3–1 lead going into the eighth inning. Barnes took the loss, allowing two runs in one-third of an inning of relief. Jackie Bradley Jr. hit his first home run of the season. The final game of the series was again a 5–4 win by Baltimore. Starter Zack Godley took the loss after allowing three runs on two hits and five walks in innings. Bradley and Kevin Pillar each homered.
August 25–August 27, at Toronto Blue Jays in Buffalo, New York
The Red Sox played in Buffalo for the first time since July 6, 1917, when they defeated the minor league Buffalo Bisons in an exhibition game, 9–7. Playing again in Buffalo during 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Boston defeated Toronto by the same score, 9–7, in the first game of a scheduled three-game series. The Blue Jays jumped out to an early 4–0 lead, and led 6–3 before the Red Sox scored six runs in the sixth inning. Phillips Valdéz, who pitched two innings of scoreless relief, got his first MLB win. Rafael Devers had three RBIs. Toronto won the second game of the series, 9–1. Boston's only run came in the fourth inning on a Mitch Moreland home run. Starter Colten Brewer took the loss. The final game of the series was postponed, one of various games in professional sports not played following the shooting of Jacob Blake.
August 28–August 30, vs. Washington Nationals
Washington won the opener of a three-game series, 10–2. Starter Martín Pérez allowed six runs on eight hits and took the loss. Boston won the second game of the series, 5–3. Starter Chris Mazza allowed six hits and three runs in innings, with a no decision. Ryan Brasier, one of six relief pitchers, got the win, with Matt Barnes (baseball) getting the save. Xander Bogaerts and Kevin Pillar each homered. Boston also won the final game of the series, 9–5. The win went to reliever Josh Osich, who pitched scoreless innings, after starter Zack Godley allowed five runs on eight hits in innings. Rafael Devers had two home runs, while Bogaerts and Bobby Dalbec each homered. The game was Dalbec's MLB debut, following the trade of Mitch Moreland.
August 31, vs. Atlanta Braves (start of 3-game series)
The opening game of a three-game series was won by Atlanta, 6–3. Starter Colten Brewer took the loss, having allowed five runs on eight hits in four innings. Three of those runs came on a triple allowed by reliever Phillips Valdéz, who entered the game after Brewer had loaded the bases in the fifth inning. Alex Verdugo went 3-for-4 for Boston, as the Red Sox ended August with a 12–23 season record, last place in the AL East.
September.
September 1–September 2, vs. Atlanta Braves (end of 3-game series)
Atlanta won the second game of the series, 10–3, led by three home runs and six RBIs from Ronald Acuña Jr. Boston starter Ryan Weber had a no decision, allowing two runs in four innings; the loss went to reliever Robert Stock, allowing two runs in two-thirds of an inning. In the third game of the series, Atlanta completed the sweep with a 7–5 win. The Braves' Adam Duvall had three home runs and five RBIs. Red Sox reliever Andrew Triggs took the loss after allowing three runs on five hits in three innings. Jackie Bradley Jr. homered for Boston.
September 3–September 6, vs. Toronto Blue Jays
The opener of a five-game series with Toronto went to extra innings, with the Blue Jays scoring four times in the top of the 10th inning for a 6–2 win. Boston had led, 2–0, through six innings. Starter Martín Pérez held Toronto to one run on three hits through innings. Reliever Phillips Valdéz took the loss. Jackie Bradley Jr. homered for the Red Sox. The next two games of the series were played as a doubleheader, each scheduled for seven innings. Toronto won the first game of the doubleheader, 8–7. Starter Zack Godley took the loss after allowing four runs on five hits in three innings. Yairo Muñoz homered for the Red Sox, in the team's fifth consecutive loss. Boston won the second game of the doubleheader, 3–2, batting as the away team since the game was originally scheduled to be played in Buffalo on August 27. Starter Chris Mazza received a no decision after holding Toronto to one run on three hits in four innings. Reliever Josh Taylor got the win, while Matt Barnes earned his fourth save of the season. The fourth game of the series was a 9–8 win for Boston. After leading 4–1 and 6–2, the Red Sox trailed, 8–7, going into the bottom of the ninth. A home run by Xander Bogaerts tied the game, and Christian Vázquez later scored the winning run after stealing second, advancing to third on a wild throw, and scoring on a ground ball hit by Muñoz. Boston also had home runs by J. D. Martinez, Bradley Jr., Bobby Dalbec, and Rafael Devers. Mike Kickham, who pitched two innings of scoreless relief, got the win, his first in MLB. Toronto won the fifth and final game of the series, 10–8. Starter Andrew Triggs had a no decision after holding the Blue Jays to one run on three hits in three innings. The loss went to reliever Matt Hall, who allowed six runs on four hits and four walks in innings. The Red Sox had home runs by Bogaerts, Dalbec, Kevin Plawecki, and José Peraza.
September 8, at Philadelphia Phillies (doubleheader)
In a two-game series played as a doubleheader, Boston split with Philadelphia. The first game was won by the Phillies, 6–5, as they scored two seventh-inning runs for a come-from-behind win. Boston starter Martín Pérez had a no decision, with reliever Matt Barnes getting a blown save and the loss. Rafael Devers homered twice, with Alex Verdugo and Bobby Dalbec also homering. Boston win the second game, 5–2, with starter Chris Mazza earning the win and reliever Marcus Walden getting the save. Dalbec again homered.
September 10–September 13, at Tampa Bay Rays
Boston won the opener of a four-game series with Tampa Bay, 4–3. Starter Mike Kickham had a no decision, holding the Rays to two runs on three hits in four innings. Reliever Ryan Weber got the win, allowing one run in innings. Matt Barnes earned his fifth save of the season. Rafael Devers and Bobby Dalbec each homered; it was Dalbec's fifth consecutive game with a home run. Tampa Bay won the second game, 11–1, after starting the game with a batting order consisting of nine left-handed hitters, a first in modern MLB history. Boston opener Andrew Triggs had a no decision, with reliever Matt Hall taking the loss after allowing four runs on six hits in innings. Tampa Bay won the third game of the series, 5–4. Starter Nathan Eovaldi, returning from the injured list, allowed one run on three hits in three innings. Reliever Marcus Walden took the loss, pitching the seventh inning and allowing what proved to be the winning run. Michael Chavis and Christian Arroyo each homered. The Red Sox had six stolen bases against Rays starter Tyler Glasnow. The loss, Boston's 31st of the season, ensured a losing record and eliminated the team from division title contention. Boston won the final game of the series, 6–3. Starter Martín Pérez earned his third win of the season, with Barnes notching his sixth save. Arroyo and Christian Vázquez each homered.
September 15–September 17, at Miami Marlins
Boston won the first game of a three-game series, 2–0, with pitcher Tanner Houck earning the win in his MLB debut, striking out seven batters in five scoreless innings while holding the Marlins to two hits. Matt Barnes earned his seventh save of the season. The second game of the series was a win for Miami, 8–4. Red Sox starter Mike Kickham took the loss, allowing six runs on seven hits in innings. J. D. Martinez homered for Boston. The Red Sox won the final game of the series, 5–3, with starter Nathan Eovaldi earning the win, and Barnes recording his eighth save. Rafael Devers homered.
September 18–September 20, vs. New York Yankees
The Yankees won the first game of a three-game series, 6–5 in 12 innings. Boston had a 4–0 lead through six innings, but allowed New York to tie the game, 4–4, to force extra innings. Boston starter Martín Pérez had held New York scoreless in six innings of work, while notching seven strikeouts. Reliever Ryan Weber took the loss, while Christian Arroyo homered, and J. D. Martinez went 0-for-6 and saw his average drop below the Mendoza Line. New York won the second game, 8–0, with starter Chris Mazza taking the loss after allowing four runs on five hits in four innings. It was Boston's 34th loss yet first shutout of the season. The loss eliminated the Red Sox from playoff contention. Boston won the final game of the series, 10–2, as the win went to Tanner Houck, who held New York to one hit and one unearned run in six innings. Michael Chavis had two home runs; Martinez and Bobby Dalbec also homered.
September 22–September 24, vs. Baltimore Orioles
Boston defeated Baltimore, 8–3, in the opener of a three-game series. Starting pitcher Nick Pivetta earned the win in his Red Sox debut, allowing one run on four hits in five innings while striking out eight batters. Matt Barnes earned his ninth save of the season, while Christian Vázquez homered. The second game was also a Boston win, 9–1, as starter and winning pitcher Nathan Eovaldi went six innings while allowing no runs on seven hits and striking out eight. Baltimore won the final game of the series, 13–1. Starter Martín Pérez allowed six runs on nine hits in four innings and took the loss, in Boston's final home game of the season.
September 25–September 27, at Atlanta Braves
The first game of the final series of the season was won by Atlanta, 8–7 in 11 innings. Starter Chris Mazza had a no decision after allowing one run on four hits in five innings. Reliever Jeffrey Springs took the loss after giving up a walk-off home run to Freddie Freeman. Jackie Bradley Jr. homered for Boston, while Atlanta's Ronald Acuña Jr. hit the longest home run of the 2020 season, at . Boston won the middle game of the series, 8–2, with Tanner Houck notching his third win in three starts. All of Boston's runs came in the second inning, including four on a grand slam by Christian Vázquez. Bobby Dalbec also homered. Boston won the final game of the series, and of their season, 9–1. Starter Nick Pivetta got the win, holding Atlanta to one run on four hits in five innings. Bradley Jr., Xander Bogaerts, J. D. Martinez, and Jonathan Araúz each homered, as the team finished the season in last place in the AL East, with a 24–36 record.
Season standings.
Red Sox team leaders.
 
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Game log.
Revised schedules for 2020 were released on July 6. MLB scheduled the Red Sox to play a total of 60 games against nine opponents—four in the American League East and five in the National League East—involving travel to Washington, D.C. (Nationals) and five states outside of Massachusetts: Florida (Marlins and Rays), Georgia (Braves), Maryland (Orioles), New York (Mets, Yankees, and Blue Jays), and Pennsylvania (Phillies).
On July 24, it was announced that the Blue Jays would play their 2020 home games at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, New York. On August 6, MLB announced changes to several teams' schedules; changes for the Red Sox were:
Doubleheaders during the 2020 regular season consisted of two seven-inning games (with extra innings played in the event of a tie). All extra innings played during the 2020 regular season began with a runner on second base, with the runner being the player in the batting order immediately before the first batter of the inning (example: if a team's first batter in an extra inning was fifth in the order, the runner placed on second base was the player batting fourth).
 In the second game on September 4, Toronto was the home team.
Ejections.
The Red Sox did not have anyone ejected during the 2020 season.
Roster.
MLB debuts.
Red Sox players who made their MLB debuts during the 2020 regular season:
Transactions.
Notable transactions of/for players on the 40-man roster during the 2020 regular season:
Amateur draft.
Boston's selections in the 2020 MLB draft, held on June 10–11, are listed below. The team did not have a second-round pick, as punishment from MLB's investigation about electronic sign-stealing by the 2018 Red Sox. The draft was limited to five rounds, per agreement reached in March 2020 between MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA). The deadline to sign drafted players was August 1, 2020.
Farm system.
Minor league managerial assignments were announced by the Red Sox on January 16, 2020. The only change from the prior season was Sandy Madera, named to manage one of the Dominican Summer League teams. In March, MLB Pipeline ranked the Red Sox' farm system 25th, in their evaluation of the minor league organizations of all 30 MLB teams. On June 30, it was announced that the 2020 Minor League Baseball season would not be played, another impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports.