The Boston Red Sox’ annual Patriots’ Day game is coming up next Monday, when they take on the Los Angeles Angels at the traditionally early start time of 11:10 a.m. ET. This year’s game is set to be extra-special.

Reasons for that are more obvious to Massachusetts residents. That’s because the game will commemorate 10 years since the Boston Marathon bombing, the culmination of a series of events that begins as soon as the Red Sox return to Boston on Friday, April 14 against the Angels. On Monday, they’re expected to wear the same uniforms they wore on the day of the Marathon bombing on April 15, 2013.

But the Marathon Monday game is now expected to be even more special of an occasion for Red Sox and Angels fans alike.

• That’s because the Red Sox are now slated to face Angels megastar Shoehei Ohtani on Monday at Fenway Park, as reported by

  After tonight, Shohei Ohtani's next start on the mound will come against the Red Sox on the same day as the Boston Marathon next Monday. It's an 11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT start.

  — Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) April 11, 2023?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. It will mark the second time Ohtani starts a game on the mound at Fenway.

  Last time out, Ohtani dominated, hurling seven shutout innings while striking out 11. Oh, and he also went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored at the plate, in that same game. Simply disgusting.

• 

  BOSTON, MA – MAY 5: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels pitches against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Fenway Park on May 5, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

• Ohtani is revolutionizing the game with his two-way play, particularly by being excellent at both. Players used to do both back in bygone eras, Babe Ruth being a famous example. But even counting that era, there hasn’t been a player like Ohtani in basically a century.

  Therefore, every time the guy takes the mound is, and should be treated as, an event. Even for Red Sox fans looking to root against him. Marathon Monday was obviously set to be a memorable day at Fenway Park, anyway. Adding an Ohtani start on top of that just makes it that much better.

• (Click here to subscribe to The Baseball Hour with Tony Mazz.)

• Boston in general is going to have a busy day next Monday. The Boston Bruins are scheduled to host their first-round playoff opponent that night, according to our own

  Game 1 for the Bruins will be Monday night.

  — Ty Anderson (@_TyAnderson) April 12, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ty Anderson. Thoughts and prayers to the many livers about to get ravaged across the city.

  Click here for complete Boston Red Sox coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

  Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.

•  

Get The 98.5 The Sports Hub Newsletter Delivered To Your Inbox

Stay up to date with the latest Boston sports news and analysis, local events, exclusive contests, and more.

Email *

Subscribe

By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.