Boston Red Sox Opening Day 2018: Broadcast Information, Matchup

BOSTON, MA — The Boston Red Sox begin their 2018 season Tuesday, March 29, in Tampa Bay. The game against the Rays is scheduled for a 4 p.m. start. It will be broadcast on NESN and over the radio on WEEI 93.7. You can stream it online at MLB.TV, and if you are trying to keep up at work you can follow the live stats at CBSSports.com's Game Tracker.

The pitching matchup will pit Chris Sale against Chris Archer. This will be Sale's second consecutive Opening Day start for the Red Sox. The lefthander was outstanding in 2017, winning 17 games and striking out a league-high 308 in a league-leading 214 1/3 innings. Sale is 8-5 against Tampa Bay in his career.

The rest of the series takes place on Friday night at 7:10, Saturday night at 6:10, and Sunday afternoon at 1:10. Boston's first game at Fenway Park is Thursday, April 5.

The Red Sox return much of the same team that got bounced in the first round of last year's playoffs. Notable additions are rookie manager Alex Cora and veteran slugger J.D. Martinez.

The season will start with a few key pieces injured, including second baseman Dustin Pedroia and some back-end starting pitchers.

Boston's long lineup, top of the rotation, and back end of the bullpen have positioned the club to return to the playoffs for the third straight season, but the rival New York Yankees are favorites to win the American League East. The Yankees traded for slugger Giancarlo Stanton during the offseason, pairing the National League home run leader with American League home run leader Aaron Judge.

The Rays are thought be in the first phase of a rebuild after trading longtime face of the franchise Evan Longoria and other stars over the offseason.