Two historic Major League Baseball franchises are set to meet on Opening Day for the first time on Thursday in Cincinnati.The Boston Red Sox will visit Great American Ball Park to take on the Cincinnati Reds, kicking off the 2026 season in grand fashion.Both teams are coming off playoff appearances in 2025, with the Reds eliminated by the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Red Sox bounced from the field by the New York Yankees in the Wild Card round.The Red Sox invested heavily in their pitching staff for the 2026 season, adding to a rotation that is headlined by Opening Day starter Garrett Crochet, who finished second in American League Cy Young voting with a 2.59 ERA and 255 strikeouts a season ago.Behind Crochet, Boston added former Phillies left-hander Ranger Suarez on a $140 million contract, swung a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals for former Reds pitcher Sonny Gray and acquired right-handed starter Johan Oviedo from the Pittsburgh Pirates.Those additions will look to boost a Red Sox rotation that finished 12th among MLB teams in ERA last season.Former Reds closer Aroldis Chapman anchors the Red Sox bullpen as he enters his 17th Major League season. Garrett Whitlock, Justin Slaten and Greg Weissert are other relievers who could see significant action this season.Offensively, the Red Sox lost third baseman Alex Bregman in free agency to the Chicago Cubs and will turn to a combination of Caleb Durbin (acquired from the Brewers) and Marcelo Mayer to fill his massive shoes in the lineup.Fans in Boston are excited about the future of young left fielder Roman Anthony, who debuted last season and posted 3.1 WAR, eight home runs and an .859 OPS in 71 games. Anthony will bat near the top of the order for the Red Sox, alongside outfielders Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu, who give the Red Sox a formidable outfield trio, alongside veteran shortstop Trevor Story and first baseman Willson Contreras, who came over from St. Louis.The Red Sox are led by manager Alex Cora, who has led the organization to the playoffs three times, including a World Series championship in 2018.This week’s opening series is a rematch from the 1975 World Series, which the Reds won in seven games over the Red Sox.

CINCINNATI —

Two historic Major League Baseball franchises are set to meet on Opening Day for the first time on Thursday in Cincinnati.

The Boston Red Sox will visit Great American Ball Park to take on the Cincinnati Reds, kicking off the 2026 season in grand fashion.

Both teams are coming off playoff appearances in 2025, with the Reds eliminated by the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Red Sox bounced from the field by the New York Yankees in the Wild Card round.

The Red Sox invested heavily in their pitching staff for the 2026 season, adding to a rotation that is headlined by Opening Day starter Garrett Crochet, who finished second in American League Cy Young voting with a 2.59 ERA and 255 strikeouts a season ago.

Behind Crochet, Boston added former Phillies left-hander Ranger Suarez on a $140 million contract, swung a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals for former Reds pitcher Sonny Gray and acquired right-handed starter Johan Oviedo from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Those additions will look to boost a Red Sox rotation that finished 12th among MLB teams in ERA last season.

Former Reds closer Aroldis Chapman anchors the Red Sox bullpen as he enters his 17th Major League season. Garrett Whitlock, Justin Slaten and Greg Weissert are other relievers who could see significant action this season.

Offensively, the Red Sox lost third baseman Alex Bregman in free agency to the Chicago Cubs and will turn to a combination of Caleb Durbin (acquired from the Brewers) and Marcelo Mayer to fill his massive shoes in the lineup.

Fans in Boston are excited about the future of young left fielder Roman Anthony, who debuted last season and posted 3.1 WAR, eight home runs and an .859 OPS in 71 games.

Anthony will bat near the top of the order for the Red Sox, alongside outfielders Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu, who give the Red Sox a formidable outfield trio, alongside veteran shortstop Trevor Story and first baseman Willson Contreras, who came over from St. Louis.

The Red Sox are led by manager Alex Cora, who has led the organization to the playoffs three times, including a World Series championship in 2018.

This week’s opening series is a rematch from the 1975 World Series, which the Reds won in seven games over the Red Sox.