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It’s Official

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BOSTON – (Staff Report from Official Team News Release) – The Boston Red Sox officially signed left-handed starting pitcher Ranger Suárez to a five-year contract through the 2030 season with a mutual option for 2031. Boston’s 40-man roster is now at 40.

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Suárez, 30, made 26 starts for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2025, going 12-8 with a 3.20 ERA (56 ER/157.1 IP) while setting career highs in strikeouts (151), innings pitched, and quality starts (17). The left-hander’s career-best 4.0 FanGraphs WAR tied the sixth-best mark among National League pitchers, while he ranked seventh among that group in ERA (minimum 150.0 IP). He also ranked in MLB’s 98th percentile during 2025 in hard-hit percentage (31.1%) and 95th percentile in average exit velocity (86.5 miles per hour). Signed by Philadelphia as an international free agent in April 2012, the Venezuela native has gone 53-37 with a 3.38 ERA (286 ER/762.0 IP) and 705 strikeouts in 187 career Major League games (119 starts), all with the Phillies (2018-25). He was named a National League All-Star in 2024 and won the 2022 Fielding Bible Award among pitchers.

In 11 career Postseason games (eight starts), Suárez has gone 4-1 with a 1.48 ERA (7 ER/42.2 IP), .203 opponent batting average (32-for-158), and 44 strikeouts. He has allowed 1 or 0 earned runs in 10 of those 11 outings, including 5.0 scoreless innings with just three hits allowed in Game 3 of the 2022 World Series against the Houston Astros. During the 2025 Postseason, he earned the win in Game 3 of the National League Division Series by allowing one run over 5.0 innings of relief in the Phillies’ 8-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Lone Ranger

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Red Sox Balk on Bo Bichette; Sign Lefty Ranger Suarez

BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Free-agent left-hander Ranger Suarez agreed to terms on a five-year, $130 million contract with the Boston Red Sox, multiple media outlets reported on Wednesday. Saurez will join a Red Sox rotation that features left-hander Garrett Crochet, right-hander Brayan Bello and offseason acquisitions Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo.

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The reports come on the same day that the Chicago Cubs announced the acquisition of third baseman Alex Bregman on a five-year deal. The three-time All-Star batted .273 with 18 homers and 62 RBIs in 114 games last season with Boston.

Suarez, 30, recorded back-to-back 12-8 seasons in 2024 and 2025 for the Philadelphia Phillies. He trimmed his ERA from 3.46 in 2024 to 3.20 while making 26 appearances (all starts) in 2025. After the season, the Phillies tendered a qualifying offer to Suarez. He declined it.

An All-Star in 2024, Suarez sports a 53-37 record with four saves and a 3.38 ERA in 187 career appearances (119 starts) with the Phillies. He owns a 4-1 record with a sterling 1.48 ERA in 11 appearances (eight starts) in the playoffs.

–Field Level Media

Drake Maye vs. NFL’s Best Defense

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FOXBORO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Drake Maye’s first career start came against the Houston Texans and their vaunted defense. Maye will get another look at perhaps the finest defense in the NFL on Sunday when the New England Patriots battle the Texans in the AFC divisional round on Sunday in Massachusetts.

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Maye is an MVP candidate after starring in his second regular season, but the quarterback relishes that first start against Houston. The Patriots lost 41-21 on Oct. 13, 2024.

“It feels like 10 years ago,” Maye said Wednesday. “It’s been a long journey. Just taking time to reflect on running out there with the team (and having) first-snap jitters was pretty cool. It’s fun to look back on.”

Maye was intercepted twice that day while throwing for 243 yards and three touchdowns. That provides a hint at the challenge ahead in trying to help the Patriots advance to the AFC title contest.

“We got our hands full,” Maye said. “We know it’s going to be a tough game. We have to play the game the right way.”

Patriots coach Mike Vrabel also is concerned with the Texans, who led the NFL in total defense and finished second in scoring defense and takeaway margin during the regular season.

“They chase the football and they get a lot of hats to the football,” Vrabel said. “They create turnovers. They play physical.”

Maye helped lead second-seeded New England to a 16-3 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, the franchise’s first postseason win since Super Bowl LIII against the Los Angeles Rams. He passed for 268 yards and one touchdown and was intercepted once.

Maye was sacked five times and this week’s matchup features Houston pass rushers Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr., known for their speed and relentless style.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans — a former two-time Pro Bowl linebacker — is concerned about the foot speed of Maye, who had 66 yards on 10 rushes against the Chargers.

“Where he’s taking that next step is his ability to escape the pocket,” Ryans said Wednesday. “I think it really doesn’t get talked about much, but his athletic ability, his ability to escape the pocket has been really clutch for them. He’s made some big runs to really hurt a lot of defenses, so we have to be conscious of that.”

The fifth-seeded Texans advanced with a 30-6 road victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night.

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Sheldon Rankins returned a fumble for a touchdown after Anderson’s strip-sack of Aaron Rodgers and Calen Bullock intercepted Rodgers’ final pass of the game and returned it for a score. The Texans allowed just 175 total yards and 13 first downs.

Quarterback C.J. Stroud passed for 250 yards and a touchdown but was sloppy with three turnovers (one interception, two lost fumbles).

Stroud admitted he must be better with ball protection. He’s now focused on notching a second straight playoff win in a tough road atmosphere.

“I think last week was a good test for us,” Stroud said. “I think being able to get past that with a ‘W,’ this next week is going to be the same type of environment — loud.”

Regardless, Houston has the opportunity to reach the AFC Championship Game for the first time in franchise history.

“I don’t take it lightly to be one of the final four teams left in the AFC,” Ryans said. “It’s where you want to be, it’s the position you want to be in if you’re a competitor and I’m a true competitor.”

It appears Houston won’t have Nico Collins on Sunday. The three-time 1,000-yard receiver sustained a concussion during the Monday night game and was one of four Texans to miss practice Wednesday. The others are defensive end Denico Autry (knee), offensive tackle Trent Brown (ankle) and receiver Justin Watson (concussion). Autry has blocked 14 kicks in his career.

Sitting out for New England were offensive tackles Morgan Moses and Thayer Munford Jr., both with knee ailments. Cornerback Christian Gonzalez remains in concussion protocol after being hurt against the Chargers. Vrabel is hopeful Gonzalez will be cleared by Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Bruins: Honor Chara and Get Kraken

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – After Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman Zdeno Chara’s No. 33 is retired to the TD Garden rafters on Thursday night, the Boston Bruins will look to complete a five-game sweep of their homestand when they host the Seattle Kraken. Bruins’ goalkeepers have pitched back-to-back shutouts — one behind both Joonas Korpisalo and Jeremy Swayman — and allowed just three total goals in the four games since losing 7-4 in Seattle on Jan. 6.

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“Best stat ever,” Swayman said of the defensive performance that has highlighted the recent unbeaten leg of the team’s 6-1-0 run.

Boston’s latest win on Tuesday was a big one. Pavel Zacha scored the deciding goal and Swayman made 24 saves in a 3-0 shutout of the Detroit Red Wings, who entered the week leading the Atlantic Division.

“I think it was one of the most complete games we’ve played all year long, 5-on-5,” Bruins coach Marco Sturm said. “Those are the games we have to take advantage of a little bit (against a team on a back-to-back). We’ve had a couple recently. I think (Thursday) will be another one.”

While Zacha’s second-period goal stood tall, the Bruins dominated in the third, outshooting Detroit 16-2 and getting scoring from Fraser Minten and Mark Kastelic.

Zacha has points in four of his last five games, including a hat trick with the game-winner in Boston’s 10-2 Saturday win over the New York Rangers. Viktor Arvidsson, who has played on Zacha’s wing of late, is on a five-game point streak.

But focusing on the back end has been key to the stretch.

“I think that’s one of the things from the start of the season we really pride ourselves on — being good defensively, playing these close games and being able to win them,” Zacha said.

Tuesday also marked Boston’s fourth straight game committing just two penalties after a whopping 30 calls in the prior six.

Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm inched closer to returning from injured reserve as he skated in a non-contact jersey on Wednesday.

Seattle visits Boston for the fourth contest of a five-game road trip (1-1-1), heading north following its 3-2 overtime loss to the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday.

The Kraken’s win over Boston last week also came in the second game of a back-to-back and was part of a 10-game point streak (8-0-2). They are just 1-1-2 since that game.

Jordan McCann had a goal and an assist, former Devils defenseman Adam Larsson also scored, and Vince Dunn helped on both goals against New Jersey.

“I thought we played slow hockey. Prior to the game, we said we were gonna have to play fast,” Kraken coach Lane Lambert said. “I didn’t think we were sharp, and part of being sharp is you play with some speed.”

The effort improved despite a scoreless third period, but New Jersey dominated possession in the extra session.

“We’ve just got to keep going,” Seattle forward Kaapo Kakko said. “Like the third, that was some good hockey.”

McCann joins Jordan Eberle and Chandler Stephenson as Seattle’s third 10-goal scorer this season. He has goals in back-to-back games and points in eight of nine (five goals, five assists).

After Philipp Grubauer’s consecutive starts, all signs point to Joey Daccord taking the net back in his native Massachusetts. Daccord lost Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes but made 32 stops to beat the Bruins the first time around.

–Field Level Media

NFL Playoff Preview: Chargers at Patriots

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Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) at New England Patriots (14-3)
Sunday, 8 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Patriots -3.5, Total 46.5
Series Rewind: New England leads the all-time series 27-17-2 and has won each of the three times they’ve faced off in the NFL playoffs (2007, 2008, 2019). But Los Angeles beat the Patriots in 2023 and 2024 by a combined score of 46-7.

Patriots MVP candidate Drake Maye is set to make his playoff debut after a stellar second season in which he led the league with a 72.0 completion percentage along with 4,394 yards and 31 TDs to eight picks. He led an offense which finished second in scoring (28.8 points per game) and third in total offense (379.4 yards). But he was also sacked 47 times, fourth-most of any NFL QB, and will be facing a Chargers defense which ranked 10th in the league in sacks (45). Chargers QB Justin Herbert has actually been sacked even more (54 times, third in the NFL) behind a ramshackle line missing two tackles. Herbert is looking for some playoff redemption after his first two postseason games did not go according to plan. Los Angeles blew a 27-0 lead in a 2022 wild-card game at Jacksonville, and he threw a career-high four picks in a 32-12 wild-card game last season at Houston. Herbert (left hand) has practiced fully this week after sitting out the regular-season finale with minimal stakes. Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs (1,013 receiving yards) and rookie RB Tre’Veyon Henderson (911 yards, nine touchdowns) have boosted Maye, who could be down two starting offensive linemen this week with left guard Jared Wilson (concussion) and center Garrett Bradbury (illness) missing practice or limited.

Spurs Top Celtics

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox each scored a team-high 21 points to lead the visiting San Antonio Spurs to a 100-95 victory over the Boston Celtics on Saturday night.

The game was tied with 1:56 to play, but the Spurs finished the game on a 7-2 run.

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Fox also had nine rebounds and six assists. Wembanyama, who played 26 minutes, added six rebounds and three blocked shots. San Antonio also received 12 points and 13 rebounds from Julian Champagnie.

It was the second game in as many nights for the Celtics, who attempted only four free throws in the loss (3 of 4). Derrick White scored 29 points and Jaylen Brown had 27 to lead the Boston offense.

The Spurs won despite shooting 10 of 44 (23%) beyond the 3-point arc. San Antonio entered the game shooting 35% from 3-point territory this season, but made only 27% of their 3-point attempts in the seven games leading up to Saturday’s matchup. The Spurs had a 3-4 record during that stretch.

Boston guard Sam Hauser didn’t play in Saturday’s game because of right hamstring tightness. Hauser, one of the team’s best perimeter shooters, started the previous four games and scored 19 points (five 3-pointers) during Friday’s victory over Toronto.

An early 12-0 run put the Celtics in front 14-7, and Boston led 26-21 after 12 minutes. The Spurs were 2 of 15 from 3-point range in the first quarter. Boston had a 55-50 halftime lead.

A Wembanyama free throw tied the game, 64-64, with 4:36 remaining in the third, but Boston had a 75-73 lead after three quarters.

Pats v. Chargers: “It Starts with the D”

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FOXBORO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Since Sunday night’s AFC wild-card matchup between the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Chargers will feature two of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, one of the key questions entering the matchup is this: Which team’s pass rush will be able to apply the most pressure?

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Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert was sacked 54 times in 16 games, and New England’s Drake Maye was sacked 47 times in 17 games. Those were the third- and fourth-most sacks against a quarterback during the regular season.

The seventh-seeded Chargers (11-6) have used 32 combinations on their injury-ravaged offensive line this season — more than any other team — and played much of the season without starting tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, both of whom are on injured reserve.

Los Angeles has allowed 60 sacks over its season when factoring in the six backup Trey Lance took last week while Herbert sat.

Second-seeded New England (14-3) is one of five teams that tied for 22nd in the NFL in sacks with 35. The team’s sack leaders are linebacker Harold Landry III (8.5) and linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson (7.5). Landry, who missed the last two games with a knee injury, returned to practice this week in a limited capacity and is questionable for Sunday.

“I don’t think that’s ever something you can tell in practice,” New England coach Mike Vrabel said when asked about his team’s pass rush. “You gotta go out there and win in live action, and not only win, you have to be able to get the guy on the ground. Justin’s just a great player — strength, toughness. He can avoid and scramble for a lot of yards. So again, I think that’ll have to be determined Sunday night.”

Maye, an MVP candidate, led the league with a 72.0 completion percentage this season, but will be facing a Chargers defense that tied for 10th in the league with 45 sacks.

Linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu led the team with 13 sacks, and linebacker Odafe Oweh collected 7.5 sacks in 12 games after being acquired in an October trade with the Ravens.

New England has started two rookies — guard Jared Wilson and tackle Will Campbell — on the left side of the line for most of the season. The Patriots have surrendered 48 sacks.

Los Angeles coach Jim Harbaugh said he has a lot of confidence in his team’s defense.

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“It starts with the players, then it’s (defensive coordinator Jesse Minter’s) ability and our defensive coaches’ ability to put them in spots to make plays, to be most effective,” Harbaugh said. “The understanding of the defense (is what gives me confidence). I know there will be some wrinkles as well.”

Los Angeles finished the regular season 12th in total offense (333.8), 20th in points per game (21.6), fifth in total defense (285.2) and ninth in points allowed per game (20.0).

New England was third in total offense (379.4), second in points per game (28.8), eighth in total defense (295.2) and fourth in points allowed per game (18.8).

“I’m happy, I’m excited, but also, we’re not here just to be here,” Vrabel said. “We have to be able to host games and compete for championships. There’s not going to be any consolation prize for anybody. We understand what we have to do.”

The Chargers ruled out two backups on Friday, wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith (hamstring) and safety Kendall Williamson (ankle). Rookie running back Omarion Hampton, who sat out two days of practice with an ankle injury and returned Friday in a limited capacity, is listed as questionable, along with backup tackle Austin Deculus (oblique), tight end Tucker Fisk (ankle), linebackers Bud Dupree (hamstring) and Del’Shawn Phillips (hamstring) and defensive back Elijah Molden (hamstring).

The Patriots have only ruled out defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga (foot). Joining Landry as questionable are wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (hamstring), offensive lineman Thayer Munford Jr. (knee) and cornerback Alex Austin (wrist).

–Field Level Media

 

Nuggets Tough on the Road

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Nuggets 114, Celtics 110

BOSTON – (staff and Wire Service Report) – Wrong Peyton.

Denver’s Peyton Watson scored 30 points and Jamal Murray added 22 points, eight rebounds and a career-high 17 assists to lead visiting Nuggets over the Boston Celtics for the Nuggets’ NBA-best 15th road victory.

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Watson made six of his seven 3-point attempts, including a 3-pointer that put Denver up 106-93 with 2:24 to play. Watson has scored at least 20 points in each of his last five games. Denver’s Nikola Jokic missed his fifth straight game with a knee injury. The Nuggets have a 3-2 record without him.

Boston received a game-high 33 points along with seven rebounds and four assists from Jaylen Brown, who also committed seven turnovers. Neemias Queta had six points and a career-high 20 rebounds for the Celtics. Ten of Queta’s 20 rebounds came at the offensive end.

Bruins Scorched in Seattle

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SEATTLE – Seattle’s Berkly Catton scored the first two goals of his NHL career as the Seattle Kraken torched the visiting Boston Bruins 7-4 on Tuesday night.

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Kaapo Kakko had two goals and an assist, Jared McCann had one of each, Jordan Eberle and Ben Meyers also scored, and Matty Beniers, Vince Dunn and Freddy Gaudreau had two assists apiece for the Kraken, who extended their point streak to nine games (8-0-1). Goaltender Joey Daccord made 32 saves.

David Pastrnak tallied twice, Viktor Arvidsson had a goal and an assist, and Mason Lohrei also scored for the Bruins, who wrapped up a five-game trip in which they went 2-2-1. Jeremy Swayman stopped 20 of 26 shots as Boston saw a two-game winning streak and a three-game point streak snapped.

The 19-year-old Catton was the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and was playing in his 28th game, broke a 1-all tie at 2:48 of the second period. Catton carried the puck over the blue line on the right wing and sent a drop pass to McCann, who immediately passed back to the rookie. Catton’s slap shot from the bottom of the faceoff circle deflected off the heel of Swayman’s blocker and into the net.

Catton scored his second on the power play at 14:20 of the third to make it 6-2. He took a pass from Gaudreau, broke in alone on Swayman and lifted a backhander off the right post and just under the crossbar.

The teams traded goals in the first period.

Seattle struck first at 8:50 as Eberle tallied on a 5-on-3 power play.

Pastrnak tied it at 12:47, faking a slap shot and putting a wrister into the upper-right corner of the net.

After Catton gave Seattle the lead, Pastrnak tied it a second time off a nifty backhanded cross-ice pass from Charlie McAvoy.

The Kraken regained the lead at 18:23 as Tye Kartye, back in the lineup with Eeli Tolvanen a late scratch because of illness, stole the puck behind the Boston net and sent a backhanded pass to Meyers for a one-timer from the slot.

The Kraken extended their lead to 4-2 on a buzzer-beating slap shot from the right point by McCann on the power play. A video review determined the puck entered the net with 0.5 seconds left in the second period.

The teams combined for five goals in the final half of the third period.

Kakko tallied at 10:21, followed by Catton.

Lohrei scored off a scramble in front of the net at 14:50 and Arvidsson on a power play at 17:38 to pull the Bruins within 6-4.

Kakko fired the puck into an empty net at 19:48 to cap the scoring.

–Field Level Media

Celtics Too Good for Bulls

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BOSTON – (Wire Service Report) – Boston’s Anfernee Simons made eight 3-pointers and scored a game-high 27 points to help the Boston Celtics extend their winning streak to four games by beating the visiting Chicago Bulls 115-101 on Monday night. Payton Pritchard added 21 points for the Celtics, who received 13 points and 13 rebounds from Neemias Queta. Boston shot 40% from the field but matched its season high with 20 offensive rebounds.

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Matas Buzelis led Chicago with 26 points. Nikola Vucevic added 15 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists. Ayo Dosunmu (15) and Tre Jones (10) were the only other Bulls who scored in double figures.

Boston’s Jaylen Brown was 6 of 24 from the floor and finished the game with 14 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

Chicago, which had won its last four road games, played without point guard Josh Giddey (left hamstring strain) and center/forward Jalen Smith (concussion). Giddey is averaging a team-high 19.2 points per game.

Shooting guard Coby White returned after missing Chicago’s last three games with a calf injury. White, who also began the night averaging 19.2 points per contest, had five points and six rebounds in 25 minutes.

The Bulls were up 9-6, but Boston went on a 16-2 run and led 22-11 with 3:51 remaining in the opening quarter. The Celtics scored 25 of the final 30 points in the quarter and had a 31-14 lead after 12 minutes.

The Bulls missed 19 of their first 21 3-point attempts and trailed by as many as 23 points in the second quarter. A Pritchard 3-pointer at the buzzer handed Boston a 54-33 halftime lead.

Chicago scored 34 points in the third quarter after scoring 33 in the first half but trailed 85-67 entering the fourth. The Bulls trailed by 10 after a Vucevic 3-pointer with 3:34 to play but failed to get any closer.

–Field Level Media