Boston Red Sox: Game-by-Game Predictions for the Month of April

The season starts next week for the Boston Red Sox and every other MLB squad, which means it is time for the team to get prepared for the long 162-game schedule.

It all starts with April.

Boston's April schedule is full of AL East play and some easy teams from the AL Central. In the middle of these 27 games, the Sox get 17 games at Fenway Park, where they need to prove they can play after losing almost 50 games at home in 2012.

Each page that follows will include a game-by-game breakdown of each road trip and home stand for the Sox with a series record and as much information that is available for pitching matchups.

Opening Day Road Trip (At New York Yankees[3], at Toronto Blue Jays[3])

At Yankees: 2-1

Jon Lester has been named the Opening Day starter against the New York Yankees. He will bring his best against the Yankees and win the first game 6-3.

Clay Buchholz will get the ball against Hiroki Kuroda and will pitch well enough to earn the 4-1 victory.

In the final game, Ryan Dempster will get the ball against Andy Pettitte. Dempster will pitch well enough for the win, but Alfredo Aceves will blow the lead in the 4-3 loss.

At Blue Jays: 2-1

The Red Sox will claim two out of three from the Blue Jays, especially facing the bottom two-fifths of their rotation the first two games. 

First Home Stand (vs. Baltimore Orioles [3], vs. Tampa Bay Rays [4])

Dustin Pedroia will get hot at home and will lead the Sox to a 4-3 record in their first home stand of the year.

vs. Orioles: 2-1

The Orioles will struggle in the close game, especially at Fenway Park, in 2013. Their bullpen will blow a couple of leads and the Red Sox will be asserting themselves in the AL East discussions.

vs. Rays: 2-2

The Rays pitching staff will be lined up to have a couple of solid starters, including David Price, to face the Red Sox. It will be a great series to watch and the Rays will be able to squeak a couple away from the Red Sox. 

Second Road Trip (Cleveland Indians[3])

At Indians: 2-1

This could be a three-game sweep, but the Cleveland Indians do have some pretty decent pitching and a solid bunch of talent in their lineup with Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher in the outfield.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox have the bottom of their rotation slotted to pitch the first two, so they may lose one of those games.

Long Home Stand (vs. KC Royals [3], vs. Oak. Athletics [ 3], vs. Hou. Astros[3])

vs. Royals: 3-0

The Royals pitching staff is not too deep at the moment. The only thing that worries me is the talented young lineup with the likes of Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas.

vs. Athletics: 1-2

The A's still have a youthful. talented bunch of young hitters and pitchers that can be very solid, especially in a smaller park such as Fenway.

While these games will be close, the A's will just win this series.

vs. Astros: 3-1

The Astros will be able to squeak one out, but will be competing with the Miami Marlins for worst team in MLB in 2013.

Last Game of April (At Toronto [1])

At Toronto: 0-1

Buchholz will likely be the starter here, but he will struggle and the Blue Jays will win 6-4. 

Overall Record

On Road: 6-4

The Red Sox will battle every game on the road and will come away with an above .500 record with some great pitching in the month of April.

At Home: 11-6

The home cooking will start early for the Red Sox. Throw in some walk-off home runs and some lopsided victories and the Red Sox will be considered one of the best teams in the AL.

Overall: 17-10