2008 Boston Red Sox season

Major League Baseball season March 2026 November 2013 Boston Red Sox 2008 American League Wild Card winners Boston Red Sox cap logo.svg American League East Fenway Park Boston, Massachusetts 95–67 (.586) 2nd John W. Henry (New England Sports Ventures) Larry Lucchino Theo Epstein Terry Francona NESN WRKOWEEIWROL (Spanish) bos BOS The 2008 Boston Red Sox season was the 108th season in the franchise's Major League Baseball history. The Red Sox, as the defending World Series champions, finished in second place in the American League East with a record of 95–67, two games behind the Tampa Bay Rays. The Red Sox qualified for the postseason as the AL wild card and defeated the American League West champion Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the ALDS. The Red Sox then lost to the Rays in the ALCS in seven games. This was the franchise's fourth appearance in the ALCS in six seasons. In late March, the team started the regular season playing in Tokyo against the Oakland Athletics for MLB Japan Opening Day 2008. In July, seven Red Sox players were selected for the AL All-Star team, with outfielder J. D. Drew being named the game's MVP. On July 31, the Red Sox traded long-time star player Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers in a three-way blockbuster (which also included the Pirates) for Jason Bay and minor leaguer Josh Wilson. In September, the team officially retired uniform number 6 in honor of Johnny Pesky.Adam Kilgore https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2008/09/29/red-sox-retire-johnny-pesky/74CJVoA7rYlFY5l5NbzMQN/story.html Red Sox retire Johnny Pesky's No. 6 September 29, 2008 The Boston Globe Regular season RedSox_6.png Johnny Pesky 6 Boston Red Sox 2008 Prior to the season, three large Coca-Cola bottles, which had been placed on the left light tower above the Green Monster prior to the 1997 season as an advertisement, were removed.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-off-the-wall-giant-cok/173219602/ Off the Wall! Giant Coke bottles are added atop Fenway's Green Monster Dan Shaughnessy Dan Shaughnessy The Boston Globe 1 March 29, 1997 May 26, 2025 newspapers.comhttps://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-soft-drink-giant-to-spo/173219436/ Soft drink giant to sponsor section at Fenway Park Chris Reidy The Boston Globe C2 March 4, 2008 May 26, 2025 newspapers.com Opening Day lineup 15 Dustin Pedroia 2B20 Kevin Youkilis 1B34 David Ortiz DH24 Manny Ramirez LF25 Mike Lowell 3B44 Brandon Moss RF33 Jason Varitek C46 Jacoby Ellsbury CF23 Julio Lugo SS18 Daisuke Matsuzaka P Season standings Boston Red Sox Notable transactions May 22, 2008: Julián Tavárez was released by the Red Sox.Julián Tavárez Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tavarju01.shtml 2024-03-14 Baseball-Reference.com en July 12, 2008: Bobby Kielty was released by the Red Sox.Bobby Kielty Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kieltbo01.shtml 2024-03-14 Baseball-Reference.com en July 31, 2008: As part of a three-team trade, star outfielder Jason Bay was acquired by the Red Sox from the Pirates for pitcher Craig Hansen and outfielder/first baseman Brandon Moss.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bayja.shtml Jason Bay Statistics - Baseball Reference.com Also in exchange, the Red Sox sent star outfielder Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers.Mario Ramírez Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ramirma01.shtml 2024-03-14 Baseball-Reference.com en August 12, 2008: Paul Byrd was acquired by the Red Sox from the Indians in exchange for a player to be named later.Paul Byrd Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/byrdpa01.shtml 2024-03-14 Baseball-Reference.com en August 22, 2008: David Ross signed as a free agent with the Red Sox.David Ross Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rossda01.shtml 2024-03-14 Baseball-Reference.com en August 27, 2008: Mark Kotsay was acquired by the Red Sox from the Braves in exchange for minor leaguer Luis Sumoza.Mark Kotsay Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kotsama01.shtml 2024-03-14 Baseball-Reference.com en Roster 2008 Boston Red Sox Roster Pitchers 53 David Aardsma 19 Josh Beckett 64 Michael Bowden 61 Clay Buchholz 36 Paul Byrd 40 Bartolo Colón 30 Bryan Corey 17 Manny Delcarmen 43 Devern Hansack 56 Craig Hansen 31 Jon Lester 48 Javier López 63 Justin Masterson 18 Daisuke Matsuzaka 37 Hideki Okajima 58 Jonathan Papelbon 62 David Pauley 59 Chris Smith 39 Kyle Snyder 51 Julián Tavárez 50 Mike Timlin 49 Tim Wakefield 51 Charlie Zink Catchers 36,30 Kevin Cash 68 George Kottaras 28 David Ross 33 Jason Varitek Infielders 55 Jeff Bailey 22 Sean Casey 13 Alex Cora 25 Mike Lowell 12 Jed Lowrie 23 Julio Lugo 15 Dustin Pedroia 51 Gil Velazquez 20 Kevin Youkilis Outfielders 44 Jason Bay 54 Chris Carter 10 Coco Crisp  7 J. D. Drew 46 Jacoby Ellsbury 11 Mark Kotsay 44 Brandon Moss 24 Manny Ramirez  3 Joe Thurston 30,60 Jonathan Van Every Other batters 34 David Ortiz Manager 47 Terry Francona Coaches 16 Luis Alicea (first base) 52 John Farrell (pitching) 35 DeMarlo Hale (third base) 29 Dave Magadan (hitting)  2 Brad Mills (bench) 57 Gary Tuck (bullpen) Record vs. opponents BOS +Red Sox vs. National LeagueTeamNL Central  CHCCINHOUMILPITSTLARIPHIBoston—2–11–23–0—1–22–12–1 Game log 2008 Regular Season Game Log March (1-1)#DateOpponentScoreWinLossSaveAttendanceRecord 1 March 25 @ Athletics* 6–5 (10) Okajima (1–0) Street (0–1) Papelbon (1) 44,628 1–0 2 March 26 @ Athletics* 5–1 Harden (1–0) Lester (0–1) 44,735 1–1 * At Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, see MLB Japan Opening Day 2008 April (16–11)#DateOpponentScoreWinLossSaveAttendanceRecord 3 April 1 @ Athletics 2–1 Matsuzaka (1–0) Blanton (0–1) Papelbon (2) 36,067 2–1 4 April 2 @ Athletics 5–0 Lester (1–1) Embree (0–1) 21,625 3–1 5 April 4 @ Blue Jays 6–3 Marcum (1–0) Aardsma (0–1) Accardo (2) 50,171 3–2 6 April 5 @ Blue Jays 10–2 Litsch (1–0) Buchholz (0–1) 35,238 3–3 7 April 6 @ Blue Jays 7–4 Halladay (1–1) Beckett (0–1) Accardo (3) 30,114 3–4 8 April 8 Tigers 5–0 Matsuzaka (2–0) Rogers (0–2) 36,567 4–4 9 April 9 Tigers 7–2 Bonderman (1–1) Lester (1–2) 37,190 4–5 10 April 10 Tigers 12–6 Wakefield (1–0) Robertson (0–1) Papelbon (3) 37,612 5–5 11 April 11 Yankees 4–1 Wang (3–0) Timlin (0–1) 37,624 5–6 12 April 12 Yankees 4–3 Beckett (1–1) Mussina (1–2) Papelbon (4) 37,461 6–6 13 April 13 Yankees 8–5 Matsuzaka (3–0) Hughes (0–2) 37,876 7–6 14 April 14 @ Indians 6–4 Timlin (1–1 Borowski (0–2) Papelbon (5) 21,802 8–6 15 April 15 @ Indians 5–3 Aardsma (1–1) Lewis (0–1) Okajima (1) 25,135 9–6 16 April 16 @ Yankees 15–9 Hawkins (1–0) Tavárez (0–1) Bruney (1) 54,667 9–7 17 April 17 @ Yankees 7–5 Beckett (2–1) Mussina (1–3) 55,088 10–7 18 April 18 Rangers 11–3 Matsuzaka (4–0) Mendoza (0–2) 37,902 11–7 19 April 19 Rangers 5–3 López (1–0) Benoit (1–1) Papelbon (6) 37,958 12–7 20 April 20 Rangers 6–5 Wakefield (2–0) Wilson (0–1) Papelbon (7) 37,480 13–7 21 April 21 Rangers 8–3 Buchholz (1–1) Nippert (1–2) 37,539 14–7 22 April 22 Angels 7–6 Timlin (2–1) Oliver (1–1) Papelbon (8) 37,982 15–7 23 April 23 Angels 6–4 Garland (3–2) Hansen (0–1) Rodríguez (8) 38,172 15–8 24 April 24 Angels 7–5 Saunders (4–0) Delcarmen (0–1) Rodríguez (9) 36,848 15–9 25 April 25 @ Rays 5–4 Dohmann (1–0) Timlin (2–2) 30,290 15–10 26 April 26 @ Rays 2–1 Dohmann (2–0) Buchholz (1–2) Percival (5) 36,048 15–11 27 April 27 @ Rays 3–0 Shields (3–1) Beckett (2–2) 32,363 15–12 28 April 29 Blue Jays 1–0 Papelbon (1–0) Halladay (2–4) 37,215 16–12 29 April 30 Blue Jays 2–1 Papelbon (2–0) Downs(0–1) 37,710 17–12 May (17–12)#DateOpponentScoreWinLossSaveAttendanceRecord 30 May 1 Blue Jays 3–0 Burnett (3–2) Wakefield (2–1) Ryan (3) 37,821 17–13 31 May 2 Rays 7–3 Buchholz (2–2) Jackson (2–3) 37,541 18–13 32 May 3 Rays 12–4 Beckett (3–2) Shields (3–2) 37,700 19–13 33 May 4 Rays 7–3 Lester (2–2) Kazmir (0–1) Papelbon (9) 37,091 20–13 34 May 5 @ Tigers 6–3 Matsuzaka (5–0) Bonderman (2–3) Papelbon (10) 39,478 21–13 35 May 6 @ Tigers 5–0 Wakefield (3–1) Robertson (1–4) 38,564 22–13 36 May 7 @ Tigers 10–9 Jones (1–0) Papelbon (2–1) 38,062 22–14 37 May 8 @ Tigers 5–1 Beckett (4–2) Verlander (1–6) 38,592 23–14 38 May 9 @ Twins 7–6 Crain (1–1) Papelbon (2–2) 25,477 23–15 39 May 10 @ Twins 5–2 Matsuzaka (6–0) Perkins (0–1) Papelbon (11) 33,839 24–15 40 May 11 @ Twins 9–8 Blackburn (3–2) Wakefield (3–2) Nathan (12) 26,511 24–16 41 May 12 @ Twins 7–3 Hernández (6–1) Buchholz (2–3) 18,782 24–17 42 May 13 @ Orioles 5–4 Guthrie (2–3) Beckett (4–3) Sherrill (14) 38,768 24–18 43 May 14 @ Orioles 6–3 Cabrera (4–1) Hansen (0–2) Sherrill (15) 28,939 24–19 – May 16 Brewers Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for May 17 44 May 17 Brewers 5–3 Matsuzaka (7–0) Suppan (2–3) Papelbon (12) 37,409 25–19 45 May 17 Brewers 7–6 Hansen (1–2) Torres (3–1) Timlin (1) 37,847 26–19 46 May 18 Brewers 11–7 Beckett (5–3) Villanueva (2–5) 37,204 27–19 47 May 19 Royals 7–0 Lester (3–2) (no-hitter) Hochevar (3–3) 37,746 28–19 48 May 20 Royals 2–1 Masterson (1–0) Meche (3–6) Papelbon (13) 37,486 29–19 49 May 21 Royals 6–3 Colón (1–0) Tomko (2–5) 37,674 30–19 50 May 22 Royals 11–8 Matsuzaka (8–0) Bannister (4–6) Papelbon (14) 37,613 31–19 51 May 23 @ Athletics 8–3 Harden (3–0) Wakefield (3–3) 29,057 31–20 52 May 24 @ Athletics 3–0 Duchscherer (4–3) Beckett (5–4) Street (10) 33,468 31–21 53 May 25 @ Athletics 6–3 Blanton (3–6) Lester (3–3) Street (11) 33,067 31–22 54 May 26 @ Mariners 5–3 Colón (2–0) Hernández (2–5) 35,818 32–22 55 May 27 @ Mariners 4–3 Putz (2–3) Timlin (2–3) 30,758 32–23 56 May 28 @ Mariners 1–0 Bédard (4–3) Wakefield (3–4) Putz (6) 30,752 32–24 57 May 30 @ Orioles 5–2 (13) Timlin (3–3) Bradford (2–2) Papelbon (15) 46,199 33–24 58 May 31 @ Orioles 6–3 Aardsma (2–1) Cormier (0–2) Papelbon (16) 48,281 34–24 June (16–11)#DateOpponentScoreWinLossSaveAttendanceRecord 59 June 1 @ Orioles 9–4 Colón (3–0) Burres (4–5) 45,031 35–24 60 June 2 @ Orioles 6–3 Johnson (1–2) Okajima (1–1) Sherrill (18) 25,711 35–25 61 June 3 Rays 7–4 Masterson (2–0) Garza (4–2) Papelbon (17) 37,823 36–25 62 June 4 Rays 5–1 Beckett (6–4) Jackson (3–5) 37,474 37–25 63 June 5 Rays 7–1 Lester (4–3) Shields (4–4) 37,639 38–25 64 June 6 Mariners 8–0 Hernández (4–5) Colón (3–1) 37,757 38–26 65 June 7 Mariners 11–3 Wakefield (4–4) Batista (3–7) 37,443 39–26 66 June 8 Mariners 2–1 Masterson (3–0) Green (1–2) Papelbon (18) 37,198 40–26 67 June 10 Orioles 10–6 Sarfate (4–1) Okajima (1–2) 37,858 40–27 68 June 11 Orioles 6–3 Colón (4–1) Olson (5–2) Papelbon (19) 38,180 41–27 69 June 12 Orioles 9–2 Lester (5–3) Guthrie (3–7) 38,139 42–27 70 June 13 @ Reds 3–1 Harang (3–9) Masterson (3–1) Cordero (13) 38,855 42–28 71 June 14 @ Reds 6–4 (10) Papelbon (3–2) Lincoln (0–2) Hansen (1) 39,154 43–28 72 June 15 @ Reds 9–0 Beckett (7–4) Bailey (0–3) 39,958 44–28 73 June 16 @ Phillies 8–2 Hamels (7–4) Colón (4–2) 45,026 44–29 74 June 17 @ Phillies 3–0 Lester (6–3) Moyer (7–4) Papelbon (20) 45,160 45–29 75 June 18 @ Phillies 7–4 Masterson (4–1) Kendrick (6–3) Papelbon (21) 45,187 46–29 76 June 20 Cardinals 5–4 Lohse (9–2) Wakefield (4–5) Franklin (10) 37,671 46–30 77 June 21 Cardinals 9–3 Boggs (2–0) Matsuzaka (8–1) 37,227 46–31 78 June 22 Cardinals 5–3 (13) López (2–0) Parisi (0–3) 37,085 47–31 79 June 23 D-backs 2–1 Haren (8–4) Beckett (7–5) Lyon (16) 37,694 47–32 80 June 24 D-backs 5–4 Smith (1–0) Qualls (1–6) Papelbon (22) 37,867 48–32 81 June 25 D-backs 5–0 Wakefield (5–5) Johnson (4–6) Papelbon (23) 37,924 49–32 82 June 27 @ Astros 6–1 Matsuzaka (9–1) Hernández (0–1) Papelbon (24) 42,237 50–32 83 June 28 @ Astros 11–10 Brocail (3–3) Delcarmen (0–2) Valverde (20) 43,073 50–33 84 June 29 @ Astros 3–2 Brocail (4–3) Aardsma (2–2) Valverde (21) 42,066 50–34 85 June 30 @ Rays 5–4 Shields (6–5) Masterson (4–2) Howell (2) 34,145 50–35 July (11–13)#DateOpponentScoreWinLossSaveAttendanceRecord 86 July 1 @ Rays 3–1 Garza (7–4) Wakefield (5–6) Balfour (2) 31,112 50–36 87 July 2 @ Rays 7–6 Glover (1–2) Hansen (1–3) Wheeler (3) 36,048 50–37 88 July 3 @ Yankees 7–0 Lester (7–3) Pettitte (9–6) 54,677 51–37 89 July 4 @ Yankees 6–4 Beckett (8–5) Rasner (4–7) Papelbon (25) 55,130 52–37 90 July 5 @ Yankees 2–1 Mussina (11–6) Masterson (4–3) Rivera (23) 54,920 52–38 91 July 6 @ Yankees 5–4 (10) Rivera (3–3) Papelbon (3–3) 54,922 52–39 92 July 7 Twins 1–0 Okajima (2–2) Bass (3–3) Papelbon (26) 37,912 53–39 93 July 8 Twins 6–5 Aardsma (3–2) Guerrier (4–4) Papelbon (27) 37,925 54–39 94 July 9 Twins 18–5 Beckett (9–5) Hernández (9–6) 37,470 55–39 95 July 11 Orioles 7–3 Burres (7–5) Buchholz (2–4) Sherrill (28) 37,779 55–40 96 July 12 Orioles 12–1 Wakefield (6–6) Liz (3–2) 37,539 56–40 97 July 13 Orioles 2–1 Matsuzaka (10–1) Cabrera (6–5) Papelbon (28) 37,344 57–40 98 July 18 @ Angels 11–3 Lackey (7–2) Buchholz (2–5) 44,260 57–41 99 July 19 @ Angels 4–2 Arredondo (4–0) Beckett (9–6) Rodríguez (39) 44,005 57–42 100 July 20 @ Angels 5–3 Oliver (3–1) Wakefield (6–7) Rodríguez (40) 44,164 57–43 101 July 21 @ Mariners 4–0 Lester (8–3) Washburn (4–9) Papelbon (29) 37,861 58–43 102 July 22 @ Mariners 4–2 Matsuzaka (11–1) Dickey (2–5) Papelbon (30) 38,425 59–43 103 July 23 @ Mariners 6–3 (13) Papelbon (4–3) Green 2–3) Hansen (2) 43,231 60–43 104 July 25 Yankees 1–0 Chamberlain (3–3) Beckett (9–7) Rivera (26) 37,744 60–44 105 July 26 Yankees 10–3 Pettitte (12–7) Wakefield (6–8) 37,225 60–45 106 July 27 Yankees 9–2 Lester (9–3) Ponson (6–2) 37,688 61–45 107 July 28 Angels 7–5 Weaver (9–8) Matsuzaka (11–2) Rodríguez (44) 37,830 61–46 108 July 29 Angels 6–2 Lackey (9–2) Buchholz (2–6) 38,110 61–47 109 July 30 Angels 9–2 Saunders (14–5) Beckett (9–8) 38,042 61–48 August (18–9)#DateOpponentScoreWinLossSaveAttendanceRecord 110 August 1 Athletics 2–1 (12) Timlin (4–3) Embree (1–4) 37,832 62–48 111 August 2 Athletics 12–2 Lester (10–3) Eveland (7–8) 37,838 63–48 112 August 3 Athletics 5–2 Matsuzaka (12–2) Braden (2–2) Papelbon (31) 37,317 64–48 113 August 4 @ Royals 4–3 Meche (10–9) Buchholz (2–7) Soria (32) 24,378 64–49 114 August 5 @ Royals 8–2 Beckett (10–8) Bannister (7–10) 22,069 65–49 115 August 6 @ Royals 8–2 Wakefield (7–8) Hochevar (6–10) 24,294 66–49 116 August 8 @ White Sox 5–3 Buehrle (9–10) Lester (10–4) Jenks (23) 38,621 66–50 117 August 9 @ White Sox 6–2 Matsuzaka (13–2) Logan (2–3) 39,243 67–50 118 August 10 @ White Sox 6–5 Floyd (12–6) Buchholz (2–8) Jenks (24) 39,008 67–51 119 August 11 @ White Sox 5–1 Beckett (11–8) Danks (9–5) 32,634 68–51 120 August 12 Rangers 19–17 Okajima (3–2) Francisco (2–4) Papelbon (32) 38,004 69–51 121 August 13 Rangers 8–4 Lester (11–4) Mendoza (3–6) 37,876 70–51 122 August 14 Rangers 10–0 Matsuzaka (14–2) Hunter (0–2) 37,856 71–51 – August 15 Blue Jays Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for September 13 123 August 16 Blue Jays 4–1 Halladay (14–9) Byrd (7–11) 37,834 71–52 124 August 17 Blue Jays 15–4 Marcum (8–5) Beckett (11–9) 37,415 71–53 125 August 18 @ Orioles 6–3 Lester (12–4) Guthrie (10–9) Papelbon (33) 40,429 72–53 126 August 19 @ Orioles 7–2 Matsuzaka (15–2) Cabrera (8–8) 48,515 73–53 127 August 20 @ Orioles 11–6 Waters (2–0) Buchholz (2–9) 33,364 73–54 128 August 22 @ Blue Jays 8–4 Byrd (8–11) Marcum (8–6) 40,181 74–54 129 August 23 @ Blue Jays 11–0 Litsch (9–7) Lester (12–5) 44,986 74–55 130 August 24 @ Blue Jays 6–5 (11) Papelbon (5–3) League (0–2) Delcarmen (1) 44,521 75–55 131 August 26 @ Yankees 7–3 Wakefield (8–8) Pettitte (13–10) Papelbon (34) 55,058 76–55 132 August 27 @ Yankees 11–3 Byrd (9–11) Ponson (7–5) 55,027 77–55 133 August 28 @ Yankees 3–2 Rivera (5–5) Masterson (4–4) 55,092 77–56 134 August 29 White Sox 8–0 Matsuzaka (16–2) Vázquez (10–12) 37,755 78–56 135 August 30 White Sox 8–2 Bowden (1–0) Buehrle (11–11) 37,751 79–56 136 August 31 White Sox 4–2 Floyd (15–6) Wakefield (8–9) Jenks (12) 37,751 79–57 September (16–10)#DateOpponentScoreWinLossSaveAttendanceRecord 137 September 1 Orioles 7–4 Byrd (10–11) Olson (8–7) Papelbon (35) 37,565 80–57 138 September 2 Orioles 14–2 Lester (13–5) Liz (5–4) 37,710 81–57 139 September 3 Orioles 5–4 Masterson (5–4) Miller (0–1) 37,373 82–57 140 September 5 @ Rangers 8–1 Beckett (12–9) Millwood (9–8) 30,264 83–57 141 September 6 @ Rangers 15–8 Harrison (7–3) Wakefield (8–10) 38,208 83–58 142 September 7 @ Rangers 7–2 Byrd (11–11) McCarthy (1–1) 28,644 84–58 143 September 8 Rays 3–0 Lester (14–5) Jackson (11–10) Papelbon (36) 37,662 85–58 144 September 9 Rays 5–4 Wheeler (4–5) Papelbon (5–4) Percival (28) 37,573 85–59 145 September 10 Rays 4–2 (14) Miller (2–0) Timlin (4–4) Hammel (1) 38,114 85–60 146 September 12 Blue Jays 7–0 Wakefield (9–10) Purcey (3–6) 37,398 86–60 147 September 13 Blue Jays 8–1 Burnett (18–10) Byrd (11–12) 37,341 86–61 148 September 13 Blue Jays 7–5 Masterson (6–4) Downs (0–3) Papelbon (37) 37,846 87–61 149 September 14 Blue Jays 4–3 Lester (15–5) Halladay (18–11) Papelbon (38) 37,007 88–61 150 September 15 @ Rays 13–5 Matsuzaka (17–2) Kazmir (11–7) 29,772 89–61 151 September 16 @ Rays 2–1 Wheeler (5–5) Masterson (6–5) 32,079 89–62 152 September 17 @ Rays 10–3 Balfour (5–2) Wakefield (9–11) 36,048 89–63 153 September 19 @ Blue Jays 4–3 Delcarmen (1–2) Tallet (1–2) Papelbon (39) 34,982 90–63 154 September 20 @ Blue Jays 6–3 Halladay (19–11) Lester (15–6) Ryan (32) 40,554 90–64 155 September 21 @ Blue Jays 3–0 Matsuzaka (18–2) Richmond (0–3) Papelbon (40) 38,814 91–64 156 September 22 Indians 4–3 Jackson (1–3) Beckett (12–10) Lewis (12) 37,828 91–65 157 September 23 Indians 5–4 Wakefield (10–11) Lee (22–3) Papelbon (41) 37,882 92–65 158 September 24 Indians 5–4 Aardsma (4–2) Pérez (4–4) Delcarmen (2) 37,719 93–65 159 September 25 Indians 6–1 Lester (16–6) Sowers (4–9) 37,726 94–65 160 September 26 Yankees 19–8 Robertson (4–0) Pauley (0–1) 37,301 94–66 – September 27 Yankees Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for September 28 161 September 28 Yankees 6–2 Mussina (20–9) Matsuzaka (18–3) Rivera (39) 37,091 94–67 162 September 28 Yankees 4–3 (10) Hansack (1–0) Veras (5–3) 37,440 95–67 2008 Postseason Game Log ALDS vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (3–1)#DateHomeRHEAwayRHEWinLossSaveAttendanceRecord 1 October 1 LAA 1 9 1 BOS 4 8 1 Lester (1–0) Lackey (0–1) Papelbon (1) 44,996 1–0 2 October 3 LAA 5 11 2 BOS 7 14 0 Papelbon (1–0) Rodríguez (0–1) 45,354 2–0 3(*) October 5 BOS 4 7 0 LAA 5 16 0 Weaver (1–0) Lopez (0–1) 39,067 2–1 4 October 6 BOS 3 9 0 LAA 2 6 1 Delcarmen (1–0) Shields (0–1) 38,785 3–1 * 12 innings. ALCS vs. Tampa Bay Rays (3–4)#DateHomeRHEAwayRHEWinLossSaveAttendanceRecord 1 October 10 TB 0 4 0 BOS 2 7 0 Matsuzaka (1–0) Shields (0–1) Papelbon (1) 35,001 1–0 2(*) October 11 TB 9 12 0 BOS 8 12 0 Price (1–0) Timlin (0–1) 34,904 1–1 3 October 13 BOS 1 7 0 TB 9 13 0 Garza (1–0) Lester (0–1) 38,031 1–2 4 October 14 BOS 4 7 0 TB 13 14 3 Sonnanstine (1–0) Wakefield (0–1) 38,133 1–3 5 October 16 BOS 8 11 0 TB 7 8 1 Masterson (1–0) Howell (0–1) 38,437 2–3 6 October 18 TB 2 4 1 BOS 4 10 0 Beckett (1–0) Shields (0–2) Papelbon (2) 40,947 3–3 7 October 19 TB 3 6 1 BOS 1 3 0 Garza (2–0) Lester (0–2) Price (1) 40,473 3–4 * 11 innings. Player stats Batters Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; AVG = Batting average; SB = Stolen bases; Bold Indicates team leader in category. PlayerGABRH2B3BHRRBIAVGSBDavid Aardsma 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0Jeff Bailey 27 50 10 14 1 1 2 6 .280 0Jason Bay 49 184 39 54 12 2 9 37 .293 3Josh Beckett 2 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0Chris Carter Chris Carter (left-handed hitter) 9 18 5 6 0 0 0 3 .333 0Sean Casey baseball 69 199 14 64 14 0 0 17 .322 1Kevin Cash 61 142 11 32 7 0 3 15 .225 0Bartolo Colón 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0Alex Cora 75 152 14 41 8 2 0 9 .270 1Coco Crisp 118 361 55 102 18 3 7 41 .283 20Manny Delcarmen 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0J. D. Drew 109 368 79 103 23 4 19 64 .280 4Jacoby Ellsbury 145 554 98 155 22 7 9 47 .280 50*Craig Hansen 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0Mark Kotsay 22 84 6 19 8 1 0 12 .226 0George Kottaras 3 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 .200 0Jon Lester 2 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0Javier Lopez Javier López (baseball) 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0Mike Lowell 113 419 58 115 27 0 17 73 .274 2Jed Lowrie 81 260 34 67 25 3 2 46 .258 1Julio Lugo 82 261 27 70 13 0 1 22 .268 1Justin Masterson 2 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0Daisuke Matsuzaka 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0Brandon Moss 34 78 7 23 5 1 2 11 .295 1Hideki Okajima 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0David Ortiz 109 416 74 110 30 1 23 89 .264 1Jonathan Papelbon 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0Dustin Pedroia 157 653 118* 213** 54** 2 17 83 .326 20Manny Ramirez 100 365 66 109 22 1 20 68 .299 1David Ross David Ross (baseball) 8 8 1 1 0 0 0 0 .125 0Joe Thurston 4 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0Mike Timlin 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0Jonathan Van Every 11 17 0 4 0 1 0 5 .235 0Jason Varitek 131 423 37 93 20 0 13 43 .220 0Gil Velazquez 3 8 0 1 0 0 0 1 .125 0Tim Wakefield 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0Kevin Youkilis 145 538 91 168 43 4 29 115 .312 3 Team totals 162 5596 845 1565 353 33 173 807 .280 120 Pitchers Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts PlayerWLERAGGSSVIPRERBBKDavid Aardsma 4 2 5.55 47 0 0 48.2 32 30 35 49Josh Beckett 12 10 4.03 27 27 0 174.1 80 78 34BB f 172Michael Bowden baseball 1 0 3.60 1 1 0 5.0 2 2 1 3Clay Buchholz 2 9 6.75 16 15 0 76.0 63 57 41 72Paul Byrd 4 2 4.78 8 8 0 49.0 26 26 10 26Bartolo Colón 4 2 3.92 7 7 0 39.0 23 17 10 27Bryan Corey 0 0 10.50 7 0 0 6.0 7 7 3 4Manny Delcarmen 1 2 3.27 73 0 2 74.1 28 27 28 72Devern Hansack 1 0 4.05 4 0 0 6.2 5 3 1 5Craig Hansen 1 3 5.58 32 0 2 30.2 23 19 23 25Jon Lester 16 6 3.21 33 33 0 210.1 78 75 66 152Javier López Javier López (baseball) 2 0 2.43 70 0 0 59.1 18 16 27 38Justin Masterson 6 5 3.16 36 9 0 88.1 31 31 40 68Daisuke Matsuzaka 18 3 2.90era a 29 29 0 167.2 58ra c 54 94 154Hideki Okajima 3 2 2.61 64 0 1 62.0 18ra d 18 23 60Jonathan Papelbon 5 4 2.34 67 0 41 69.1 24 18 8BB e 77David Pauley 0 1 11.68 6 2 0 12.1 17 16 5 11Chris Smith Chris Smith (pitcher, born 1981) 1 0 7.85 12 0 0 18.1 16 16 7 13Kyle Snyder Kyle Snyder (baseball) 0 0 21.60 2 0 0 1.2 4 4 2 1Julián Tavárez 0 1 6.39 9 0 0 12.2 12 9 9 6Mike Timlin 4 4 5.66 47 0 1 49.1 32 31 20 32Tim Wakefield 10 11 4.13 30 30 0 181.0 89 83 60 117Charlie Zink 0 0 16.62 1 1 0 4.1 8 8 1 1 Team totals 95 67 4.01 162 162 47 1446.1 694 645 548 1185 * indicates player led their respectable league in that certain category ** indicates player led all of baseball in that certain category era aLed team in starters ERA era bLed in team ERA ra cAllowed fewest runs as a starter for the Red Sox ra dLed team in runs allowed. BB eLed team in walks allowed. BB fLed starters in walks allowed. Awards and honors thumb|right|200px|All-star Kevin Youkilis J. D. Drew – AL Player of the Month (June) Jon Lester – Hutch Award,http://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_hut.shtml Hutch Award Baseball-almanac.com September 5, 2010 AL Pitcher of the Month (July, September), AL Player of the Week (May 19–25) Dustin Pedroia – American League MVP, Silver Slugger Award (2B), Gold Glove Award (2B)http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/awards/y2008/ 2008 MLB Awards MLB.com September 5, 2010 Manny Ramirez – AL Player of the Week (April 14–April 20) Kevin Youkilis – Hank Aaron Award, AL Player of the Week (May 5–April 11) All-Star Gamehttp://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2008/ 2008 All-Star Game MLB.com September 5, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100815201859/http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2008/ August 15, 2010 live Starters Kevin Youkilis 1B Dustin Pedroia 2B Manny Ramirez OF David Ortiz DH (did not play)Reserves Jason Varitek C J. D. Drew OF (MVP) Jonathan Papelbon RP Farm system Minor League Baseball AAA Pawtucket Red Sox International League Ron Johnson AA Portland Sea Dogs Eastern League Arnie Beyeler A-Advanced Lancaster JetHawks California League Chad Epperson A Greenville Drive South Atlantic League Kevin Boles A-Short Season Lowell Spinners New York–Penn League Gary DiSarcina Rookie GCL Red Sox Gulf Coast League Dave Tomlin Rookie DSL Red Sox Dominican Summer League José Zapata Source:Johnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, ed., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 3rd edition. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 2007https://archive.org/details/bostonredsoxmedi2008bost/page/508/mode/2up Boston Red Sox Media Guide 2008 508–529 March 14, 2021 Wayback Machine References 30em External links 2008 Boston Red Sox season at Baseball Almanac 2008 Boston Red Sox at Baseball Reference 2008 Boston Red Sox Draft Selections Category:Boston Red Sox seasons Boston Red Sox Boston Red Sox Red Sox Category:American League Wild Card winner seasons