Both the Philadelphia Phillies and the Boston Red Sox are coming off forgettable seasons in 2014 looking for redemption in 2015. Both teams said goodbye to franchise staples in the offseason as much of their rosters lack the usual star power they once had, but hope is high as Opening Day officially arrives. The Phillies will place the ball in Cole Hamels hands hoping he has been ignoring the trade rumors while clay Buchholz gets the nod in Boston.
Hamels is still wearing a Phillies uniform which is why the team is giving him the Opening Day start. For almost the entire offseason, the pitcher has been involved in several trade rumors even some coming from the Red Sox. However, for now the three-time All-Star remains on the roster, but that will not stop the team from trying to seek out one last deal to send the pitcher packing. With pitchers like Cliff Lee on the 60-Day DL, Hamels is the lone star in the rotation. The Phillies offense no longer has players like Jimmy Rollins on it while Ryan Howard remains at first base. Both players struggled last season causing Philadelphia to make some moves.
The Boston Red Sox have upgraded their lineup hoping to improve of last year's 71-91 finish just a two years removed from a World Series. They added Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez to an offense that already included David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia and Shane Victorino. Buchholz gets the Opening Day nod after struggling much of last season going 8-11 with a 5.34 ERA. That was off a 12-1 2013 with a 1.74 ERA. The Red Sox are hoping he can improve after they failed to re-sign Jon Lester while stalling on a trade for Hamels.
According to ESPNBoston.com, the Red Sox could still make a move for Hamels as he very much remains on the trade block. Boston's rotation will include Wade Miley, Rick Porcello and Justin Masterson who were all acquired in the offseason. If the Red Sox feel that rotation is simply not enough to get by on, they will make a move for Hamels and this game could be a scouting opportunity.
