BOSTON (AP) — The Red Sox had the advantage of low expectations last season, when they were coming off a last-place finish and their second straight season without a playoff appearance. Now Boston is looking to build on its surprising 2021, when the ballclub turned 92 wins and a wild-card berth into a spot in the AL Championship Series. With one major addition, the Red Sox are hoping to usher in chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom’s era of consistent contending that would follow a decade in which they seesawed between four AL East titles and four last-place finishes. Their batting order remains strong with anchors Rafael Devers, J.D. Martinez and Xander Bogaerts. But they will need longtime Rockies shortstop Trevor Story to make up for the departures of outfielders Kyle Schwarber and Hunter Renfroe. And the pitching rotation will have to plug gaps left by the loss of Eduardo Rodriguez and Martín Pérez — until Chris Sale is healthy, and beyond. The Red Sox open the season on April 7
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