The Boston Red Sox are generating buzz as potential leaders in the American League as the 2025 season kicks off. Hosts Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast express cautious optimism about the team's prospects, highlighting the consistent performance of Rafael Devers, the emergence of Wilyer Abreu, and the return of a healthy Trevor Story. Newcomer Kristian Campbell's impressive debut adds to the excitement. However, concerns about Triston Casas's underwhelming performance loom large.

On the pitching front, Garrett Crochet's standout performance has fans dreaming of a Cy Young run but the rotation lacks depth, provoking anxiety among supporters. While Crochet shines, the rest of the staff presents uncertainty. The hope is that with guidance from pitching coach Andrew Bailey and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, the Red Sox can navigate through a challenging season. Despite risks, the potential for success remains palpable with AL rivals Baltimore, New York, and Toronto closely watching.

The Boston Red Sox are gearing up for an important game against the Seattle Mariners, but they'll be without their standout rookie, Kristian Campbell, who is getting a rare day off. This marks only the third time this season he's been absent from the lineup, with Romy Gonzalez stepping in at second base. Despite Campbell's absence, the Red Sox have been on a roll, winning six of their last seven games and tied for the most wins in the American League at 14.

Sean Newcomb, a left-handed pitcher, will take the mound for his fifth start of the season, holding a 3.63 ERA. In contrast, the Mariners' Emerson Hancock is struggling, carrying a hefty 12.71 ERA into this matchup. The Red Sox lineup features key players like Rafael Devers and Trevor Story, who are crucial to their offensive strategy. With a favorable home record of 8-4, the Red Sox aim to continue their winning streak at Fenway Park.

As the Boston Red Sox gear up to face the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park, manager Alex Cora has decided to stick with his usual lineup. The game marks the return of pitcher Brayan Bello, who has been activated from the injured list, and he will make his season debut against Bryce Miller, who has a solid 3.43 ERA. Cora expressed hope for Bello to pitch five innings, emphasizing his importance to the team's overall success.

Bello, who has shown improved velocity and effective pitch action, is a crucial part of the Red Sox's strategy moving forward. With a well-rounded lineup that includes standout players like Rafael Devers and Triston Casas, the Red Sox aim to leverage their offensive strength while relying on Bello's return to bolster their pitching staff.

The Boston Red Sox have officially cemented Rafael Devers as their full-time designated hitter, with manager Alex Cora indicating he won't be returning to third base, even with Alex Bregman on paternity leave. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow revealed the decision is intended to ease Devers' transition into his new role, especially after a challenging start where he went 0-for-19 with 15 strikeouts. However, Devers has shown signs of recovery with hits in four of his last five games, including a critical homer in a recent walk-off win against the Chicago White Sox.

Boston has opted to give other players like Romy Gonzalez and David Hamilton more playing time while allowing Devers to focus solely on hitting. This strategic approach highlights the Red Sox's effort to manage their lineup effectively and address their defensive challenges early in the season.

On this Sunday, April 20, 2025, top MLB DFS picks include standout pitchers and valuable hitters across both DraftKings and FanDuel. Jesus Luzardo, facing the Miami Marlins, shows tremendous strikeout potential with a solid 2.31 ERA and has struck out 29 batters in 23.2 innings. Meanwhile, Tarik Skubal is on a hot streak, with 13 consecutive shutout innings against the Kansas City Royals, making him a prime target. Hitting-wise, the Boston Red Sox's Rafael Devers is now finding his rhythm, while Gunnar Henderson of the Baltimore Orioles is also emerging as a sleeper pick following a recent strong showing.

With matchups at Boston's Fenway Park and Coors Field, where high-scoring games are anticipated, there's potential for explosive performances. Stacking players from these games provides an edge for DFS players. The Boston Red Sox's matchup against Sean Burke and the Philadelphia Phillies against Connor Gillispie are particularly enticing. Look for a combination of Devers, Abreu, and Turner to capitalize on these favorable conditions.

As always, stay updated on injury news and lineup changes, which are critical for optimizing your DFS lineups today.