Cincinnati Reds vs. Boston Red Sox Series Preview

The Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds will square off on Tuesday for just the third time since battling on the national stage in the epic 1975 World Series. The Reds will visit Fenway Park for the first time since 2005 as they take on the defending champions for a quick midweek two-game series.

Homer Bailey (2-2) of the Reds will oppose the Red Sox’s Felix Doubront (1-3) in the series-opener. Bailey is fresh off his finest pitching performance of the season, hurling eight innings with just three runs allowed in a victory over the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers. Faltering in each of his past three starts, Doubront has yet to make it through seven innings in 2014. The left-hander has been unable to record a victory since earning a win in his first start of the year.

The Red Sox do not have much experience against Bailey. The only players with more than two career at-bats against Bailey are Grady Sizemore (2-for-10) and Shane Victorino (4-for-11, HR).

Jake Peavy will look for some run support when he takes the mound for the series-finale. Peavy has been an imposing force in the Red Sox’s rotation, posting a 2.87 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 37 2/3 innings pitched. Peavy’s pedestrian 1-1 record does not reflect the season the right-hander has had thus far.

On the opposite side, Mike Leake, who knows what it feels like to be a hard-luck loser, will take the hill for the Reds. Leake (2-3) is coming off a dominant start in which he surrendered just two runs in eight innings, yet was hooked for the loss in a 2-0 defeat at the hands of the Brewers.

Receiving positive news on the injury front was Red Sox relief pitcher Edward Mujica, who dealt with discomfort in his right oblique as he warmed up in the bullpen in Saturday’s contest versus the Oakland A’s. Mujica will avoid a trip to the disabled list, according to Red Sox manager John Farrell.

“This isn't a DL situation as a result of the exam this morning," Farrell said, via MetroWest Daily News. "Likely unavailable today. Give him today and tomorrow ... to continue to receive treatment and see where we are when we open up against Cincinnati (on Tuesday)."

The Red Sox and Reds will both get a day off on Thursday, before each squad hits the road for its respective weekend series. These two clubs will meet again this year in Cincinnati for a two-game series on Aug. 12-13.

Mike Napoli Dislocates Finger; Red Sox Drop Series Opener in Chicago

Mike Napoli cringes on second base as he looks at his dislocated finger. (NESN screenshot, via Boston.com)

When it rains, it pours for the Boston Red Sox on the injury front.

The Red Sox entered Tuesday’s series opener against the White Sox in Chicago with Shane Victorino and Will Middlebrooks already on the 15-day disabled list. Dustin Pedroia (wrist) and Koji Uehara (shoulder) have been nursing injuries of their own.

Mike Napoli became the latest starter to fall victim to the injury bug, jamming his left finger into the second base bag after recording his first stolen base of the year. Napoli, the team leader in home runs (3) and RBI (9), was pinch-run for by Pedroia, who was not expected to return to game action until Wednesday.

Replays showed Napoli’s ringer finger out of place, forcing the slugger out of the game as Mike Carp took over the duties at first base. The Red Sox announced that Napoli suffered a dislocated finger, but X-Rays were negative.

The White Sox went off to win in dramatic fashion, scoring the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth via a throwing error by Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts to walk off with a 2-1 victory in front of their home crowd. 

Red Sox place Shane Victorino on 15-day disabled list, recall Jackie Bradley Jr.

Shane Victorino will start the 2014 season on the DL (Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports)

The Boston Red Sox placed right field Shane Victorino on the 15-day disabled list with a right hamstring strain, just hours before their opening day tilt against the Baltimore Orioles. Victorino injured his right hamstring while running the bases in Saturday’s Grapefruit League finale against the Minnesota Twins. His DL stint is retroactive to March 30.

Rookie outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. has been recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket to take Victorino’s spot on the roster. Bradley Jr. batted just .158 in a dismal spring training, totaling almost double the amount of strikeouts (17) as hits (nine) in 19 exhibition contests. Bradley Jr. lost the competition for the starting center field spot to veteran Grady Sizemore, who emerged as one of the biggest surprises of spring training.

Manager John Farrell does not believe Victorino’s injury is serious, noting that his club will simply have to adjust in the short term without the “Flyin' Hawaiian."

“I don’t know that you look at it as troubling,” John Farrell said, per the Boston Herald. “You look at it as a situation that has to be managed. You’ve got to remain aware that you might have to change on the fly.”

The depth of the Red Sox will be relied upon in the absence of Victorino. Backup outfielder Jonny Gomes should see extended playing time with Victorino sidelined, along with utility man Mike Carp, who will start in left field and bat fifth for the Red Sox in their regular season opener.

25 Boston Sports Moments of 2013 to be Thankful for

There has been plenty to be thankful for as a Boston sports fan in the past year. From Tom Brady's late-game heroics for the Patriots, to Jeff Green's buzzer-beaters for the Celtics, to the Bruins historic comeback in Game 7 versus the Toronto Maple Leafs, culminating with the Red Sox winning the World Series, 2013 has been another year for Boston fans to rejoice. Let's look back at the 25 best sports moments of 2013 for the "City of Champions." (Note: To watch a video of any of the moments, just click on the hyperlink.)

25. Red Sox defeat Kansas City Royals 4-2 on the day the victims of the Boston Marathon were honored at Fenway Park. Daniel Nava hit the go-ahead three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth to secure the victory.

24. Jeff Green hits a game-winning layup as time expires in 93-92 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

23. Jacoby Ellsbury's 2-run double caps 9th-inning rally versus Cleveland Indians as Red Sox score four runs in the bottom of the ninth to win 6-5.

22. Stephen Drew knocks a game-winning single in the bottom of the 15th as Red Sox outlast Seattle Mariners in a game that lasts over five hours.

21. Mike Napoli crushes game-ending solo shot as Sox walk-off in the 11th inning versus New York Yankees.

20. Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett reach scoring milestones in blowout victory over Toronto Raptors. Garnett passed Jerry West for 15th all-time, while Pierce passed Charles Barkley for the No. 20 spot.

19. Jonny Gomes blasts walk-off HR versus Tampa Bay Rays.

18. Jonny Gomes hits walk-off homer versus San Diego Padres.

17. Celtics extend winning streak to seven games in thrilling triple overtime victory over the Denver Nuggets. Paul Pierce turned back the clock, recording a triple-double. He posted 27 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists in the win.

16. David Ortiz: "This is our Bleeping City"

15. Tom Brady fires a 17-yard, game-winning TD pass to Kenbrell Thompkins with 5 seconds left in regulation to beat the New Orleans Saints.

14. Red Sox rally versus Seattle Mariners in a comeback for the ages. Trailing 7-2, the Sox score six runs in the final frame for an improbable walk-off win. Daniel Nava hits the walk-off single to cap off the rally.

13. Jeff Green drains buzzer-beater over LeBron James as Celtics shock Miami Heat.

12. Patriots pull off their greatest comeback in franchise history to stun the Broncos 34-31 in overtime, after trailing 24-0 at halftime.

11. Red Sox complete worst-to-first regular season to capture AL East Title.

10. Tom Brady becomes all-time leader in playoff wins for a QB as Patriots throttle Houston Texans 41-28 in AFC Divisional Round.

9. Red Sox advance to ALCS after eliminating Tampa Bay Rays in Game 4 of ALDS.

8. John Lackey outduels Justin Verlander in Game 3 of ALCS.

7. Bruins eliminate New York Rangers in Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 5.

6. Big Papi belts clutch grand slam in Game 2 of ALCS versus Detroit Tigers.

5. Boston Bruins erase 4-1 deficit in Game 7 of Eastern Conference Quarterfinals versus Toronto Maple Leafs to complete one of the greatest comebacks in NHL postseason history.

4. Tukka Rask's near-flawless goal-tending in four-game sweep of Pittsburgh Penguins (2 goals allowed in 4 games) in Eastern Conference Finals propels Bruins to second Stanley Cup Final appearance in three years.

3. Shane Victorino's grand slam in Game 6 of ALCS sends Fenway Park into a frenzy; Red Sox clinch American League Championship.

2. Jon Lester's gem versus St. Louis Cardinals (7.1 innings, 4 hits, 1 ER) in Game 5 of World Series pulls Red Sox within a win of their eighth title in franchise history.

1. Koji Uehera closes out the 2013 World Series as Red Sox secure third title in 10 years. The Sox clinched the championship at Fenway Park for the first time since 1918.