# 2008 Boston Red Sox season

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.

## Regular season
### Opening Day lineup

| 15 | Dustin Pedroia | 2B |
| 20 | Kevin Youkilis | 1B |
| 34 | David Ortiz | DH |
| 24 | Manny Ramírez | LF |
| 25 | Mike Lowell | 3B |
| 44 | Brandon Moss | RF |
| 33 | Jason Varitek | C |
| 46 | Jacoby Ellsbury | CF |
| 23 | Julio Lugo | SS |
| 18 | Daisuke Matsuzaka | P |

### Season standings

vteAL East :
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
| Tampa Bay Rays | 97 | 65 | .599 | — | 57‍–‍24 | 40‍–‍41 |
| Boston Red Sox | 95 | 67 | .586 | 2 | 56‍–‍25 | 39‍–‍42 |
| New York Yankees | 89 | 73 | .549 | 8 | 48‍–‍33 | 41‍–‍40 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | 86 | 76 | .531 | 11 | 47‍–‍34 | 39‍–‍42 |
| Baltimore Orioles | 68 | 93 | .422 | 28½ | 37‍–‍43 | 31‍–‍50 |

### Notable transactions

* May 22, 2008: Julián Tavárez was released by the Red Sox.
* July 12, 2008: Bobby Kielty was released by the Red Sox.
* 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. Also in exchange, the Red Sox sent star outfielder Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers.
* August 12, 2008: Paul Byrd was acquired by the Red Sox from the Indians in exchange for a player to be named later.
* August 22, 2008: David Ross signed as a free agent with the Red Sox.
* August 27, 2008: Mark Kotsay was acquired by the Red Sox from the Braves in exchange for minor leaguer Luis Sumoza.

### Record vs. opponents

| Team | BAL | BOS | CWS | CLE | DET | KC | LAA | MIN | NYY | OAK | SEA | TB | TEX | TOR | NL |
| Baltimore | – | 6–12 | 4–5 | 4–4 | 4–3 | 5–3 | 3–6 | 3–3 | 7–11 | 0–5 | 8–2 | 3–15 | 4–5 | 6–12 | 11–7 |
| Boston | 12–6 | – | 4–3 | 5–1 | 5–2 | 6–1 | 1–8 | 4–3 | 9–9 | 6–4 | 6–3 | 8–10 | 9–1 | 9–9 | 11–7 |
| Chicago | 5–4 | 3–4 | – | 11–7 | 12–6 | 12–6 | 5–5 | 9–10 | 2–5 | 5–4 | 5–1 | 4–6 | 3–3 | 1–7 | 12–6 |
| Cleveland | 4–4 | 1–5 | 7–11 | – | 11–7 | 10–8 | 4–5 | 8–10 | 4–3 | 5–4 | 4–5 | 5–2 | 6–4 | 6–1 | 6–12 |
| Detroit | 3–4 | 2–5 | 6–12 | 7–11 | – | 7–11 | 3–6 | 7–11 | 4–2 | 3–6 | 7–3 | 3–4 | 6–3 | 3–5 | 13–5 |
| Kansas City | 3–5 | 1–6 | 6–12 | 8–10 | 11–7 | – | 2–3 | 6–12 | 5–5 | 6–3 | 7–2 | 3–5 | 2–7 | 2–5 | 13–5 |
| Los Angeles | 6–3 | 8–1 | 5–5 | 5–4 | 6–3 | 3–2 | – | 5–3 | 7–3 | 10–9 | 14–5 | 3–6 | 12–7 | 6–3 | 10–8 |
| Minnesota | 3–3 | 3–4 | 10–9 | 10–8 | 11–7 | 12–6 | 3–5 | – | 4–6 | 5–5 | 5–4 | 3–3 | 5–5 | 0–6 | 14–4 |
| New York | 11–7 | 9–9 | 5–2 | 3–4 | 2–4 | 5–5 | 3–7 | 6–4 | – | 5–1 | 7–2 | 11–7 | 3–4 | 9–9 | 10–8 |
| Oakland | 5–0 | 4–6 | 4–5 | 4–5 | 6–3 | 3–6 | 9–10 | 5–5 | 1–5 | - | 10–9 | 3–6 | 7–12 | 4–6 | 10–8 |
| Seattle | 2–8 | 3–6 | 1–5 | 5–4 | 3–7 | 2–7 | 5–14 | 4–5 | 2–7 | 9–10 | – | 3–4 | 8–11 | 5–4 | 9–9 |
| Tampa Bay | 15–3 | 10–8 | 6–4 | 2–5 | 4–3 | 5–3 | 6–3 | 3–3 | 7–11 | 6–3 | 4–3 | – | 6–3 | 11–7 | 12–6 |
| Texas | 5–4 | 1–9 | 3–3 | 4–6 | 3–6 | 7–2 | 7–12 | 5–5 | 4–3 | 12–7 | 11–8 | 3–6 | – | 4–4 | 10–8 |
| Toronto | 12–6 | 9–9 | 7–1 | 1–6 | 5–3 | 5–2 | 3–6 | 6–0 | 9–9 | 6–4 | 4–5 | 7–11 | 4–4 | – | 8–10 |
* view
* talk
Red Sox vs. National League :
| Team | NL Central | NL Central | NL Central | NL Central | NL Central | NL Central | | |
| Team | CHC | CIN | HOU | MIL | PIT | STL | ARI | PHI |
| Boston | — | 2–1 | 1–2 | 3–0 | — | 1–2 | 2–1 | 2–1 |

### Game log

2008 Regular Season Game Log :
March (1-1) :
| # | Date | Opponent | Score | Win | Loss | Save | Attendance | Record |
| 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) :
| # | Date | Opponent | Score | Win | Loss | Save | Attendance | Record |
| 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) :
| # | Date | Opponent | Score | Win | Loss | Save | Attendance | Record |
| 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 | Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for May 17 | Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for May 17 | Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for May 17 | Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for May 17 | 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) | 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) :
| # | Date | Opponent | Score | Win | Loss | Save | Attendance | Record |
| 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) :
| # | Date | Opponent | Score | Win | Loss | Save | Attendance | Record |
| 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) :
| # | Date | Opponent | Score | Win | Loss | Save | Attendance | Record |
| 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 | Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for September 13 | Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for September 13 | Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for September 13 | Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for September 13 | 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) :
| # | Date | Opponent | Score | Win | Loss | Save | Attendance | Record |
| 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 | Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for September 28 | Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for September 28 | Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for September 28 | Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for September 28 | 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) :
| # | Date | Home | R | H | E | Away | R | H | E | Win | Loss | Save | Attendance | Record |
| 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) :
| # | Date | Home | R | H | E | Away | R | H | E | Win | Loss | Save | Attendance | Record |
| 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.
| Player | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | AVG | SB |
| David Aardsma | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 |
| Jeff Bailey | 27 | 50 | 10 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | .280 | 0 |
| Jason Bay | 49 | 184 | 39 | 54 | 12 | 2 | 9 | 37 | .293 | 3 |
| Josh Beckett | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 |
| Chris Carter | 9 | 18 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .333 | 0 |
| Sean Casey | 69 | 199 | 14 | 64 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 17 | .322 | 1 |
| Kevin Cash | 61 | 142 | 11 | 32 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 15 | .225 | 0 |
| Bartolo Colón | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 |
| Alex Cora | 75 | 152 | 14 | 41 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 9 | .270 | 1 |
| Coco Crisp | 118 | 361 | 55 | 102 | 18 | 3 | 7 | 41 | .283 | 20 |
| Manny Delcarmen | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 |
| J. D. Drew | 109 | 368 | 79 | 103 | 23 | 4 | 19 | 64 | .280 | 4 |
| Jacoby Ellsbury | 145 | 554 | 98 | 155 | 22 | 7 | 9 | 47 | .280 | 50* |
| Craig Hansen | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 |
| Mark Kotsay | 22 | 84 | 6 | 19 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 12 | .226 | 0 |
| George Kottaras | 3 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .200 | 0 |
| Jon Lester | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 |
| Javier Lopez | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 |
| Mike Lowell | 113 | 419 | 58 | 115 | 27 | 0 | 17 | 73 | .274 | 2 |
| Jed Lowrie | 81 | 260 | 34 | 67 | 25 | 3 | 2 | 46 | .258 | 1 |
| Julio Lugo | 82 | 261 | 27 | 70 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 22 | .268 | 1 |
| Justin Masterson | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 |
| Daisuke Matsuzaka | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 |
| Brandon Moss | 34 | 78 | 7 | 23 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 11 | .295 | 1 |
| Hideki Okajima | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 |
| David Ortiz | 109 | 416 | 74 | 110 | 30 | 1 | 23 | 89 | .264 | 1 |
| Jonathan Papelbon | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 |
| Dustin Pedroia | 157 | 653 | 118* | 213** | 54** | 2 | 17 | 83 | .326 | 20 |
| Manny Ramirez | 100 | 365 | 66 | 109 | 22 | 1 | 20 | 68 | .299 | 1 |
| David Ross | 8 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .125 | 0 |
| Joe Thurston | 4 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 |
| Mike Timlin | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 |
| Jonathan Van Every | 11 | 17 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | .235 | 0 |
| Jason Varitek | 131 | 423 | 37 | 93 | 20 | 0 | 13 | 43 | .220 | 0 |
| Gil Velazquez | 3 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .125 | 0 |
| Tim Wakefield | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 |
| Kevin 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
| Player | W | L | ERA | G | GS | SV | IP | R | ER | BB | K |
| David Aardsma | 4 | 2 | 5.55 | 47 | 0 | 0 | 48.2 | 32 | 30 | 35 | 49 |
| Josh Beckett | 12 | 10 | 4.03 | 27 | 27 | 0 | 174.1 | 80 | 78 | 34 | 172 |
| Michael Bowden | 1 | 0 | 3.60 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5.0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Clay Buchholz | 2 | 9 | 6.75 | 16 | 15 | 0 | 76.0 | 63 | 57 | 41 | 72 |
| Paul Byrd | 4 | 2 | 4.78 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 49.0 | 26 | 26 | 10 | 26 |
| Bartolo Colón | 4 | 2 | 3.92 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 39.0 | 23 | 17 | 10 | 27 |
| Bryan Corey | 0 | 0 | 10.50 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 6.0 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 4 |
| Manny Delcarmen | 1 | 2 | 3.27 | 73 | 0 | 2 | 74.1 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 72 |
| Devern Hansack | 1 | 0 | 4.05 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 6.2 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| Craig Hansen | 1 | 3 | 5.58 | 32 | 0 | 2 | 30.2 | 23 | 19 | 23 | 25 |
| Jon Lester | 16 | 6 | 3.21 | 33 | 33 | 0 | 210.1 | 78 | 75 | 66 | 152 |
| Javier López | 2 | 0 | 2.43 | 70 | 0 | 0 | 59.1 | 18 | 16 | 27 | 38 |
| Justin Masterson | 6 | 5 | 3.16 | 36 | 9 | 0 | 88.1 | 31 | 31 | 40 | 68 |
| Daisuke Matsuzaka | 18 | 3 | 2.90 | 29 | 29 | 0 | 167.2 | 58 | 54 | 94 | 154 |
| Hideki Okajima | 3 | 2 | 2.61 | 64 | 0 | 1 | 62.0 | 18 | 18 | 23 | 60 |
| Jonathan Papelbon | 5 | 4 | 2.34 | 67 | 0 | 41 | 69.1 | 24 | 18 | 8 | 77 |
| David Pauley | 0 | 1 | 11.68 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 12.1 | 17 | 16 | 5 | 11 |
| Chris Smith | 1 | 0 | 7.85 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 18.1 | 16 | 16 | 7 | 13 |
| Kyle Snyder | 0 | 0 | 21.60 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Julián Tavárez | 0 | 1 | 6.39 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 12.2 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 6 |
| Mike Timlin | 4 | 4 | 5.66 | 47 | 0 | 1 | 49.1 | 32 | 31 | 20 | 32 |
| Tim Wakefield | 10 | 11 | 4.13 | 30 | 30 | 0 | 181.0 | 89 | 83 | 60 | 117 |
| Charlie 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
^a Led team in starters ERA ^b Led in team ERA ^c Allowed fewest runs as a starter for the Red Sox ^d Led team in runs allowed. ^e Led team in walks allowed. ^f Led starters in walks allowed.

## Awards and honors

* J. D. Drew – AL Player of the Month (June)
* Jon Lester – Hutch Award, 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)
* 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 Game

| 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

| Level | Team | League | Manager |
| 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: