Franchise royalty: Boston Red Sox all‑time postseason starting lineup
· Yahoo Sports
The postseason just hits different in Boston. So much of the modern Red Sox story comes down to huge playoff moments, starting with that unforgettable 2004 run and all the World Series titles after it. Plenty of big names helped make that happen, but only a handful can say they belong in an all-time playoff lineup.
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The timing couldn’t be better to talk about this. Boston locked up its second straight playoff spot on Sept. 20. Back on June 24, they were in a deep hole at 32-46 and 15½ games back. But they completely turned things around, going 52-25 down the stretch, including a 15-game winning streak that tied the franchise record from way back in 1946.
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Now, Boston is heading into the postseason with an 89-73 record and an American League wild-card spot. Someone playing right now could easily play their way onto this list over the next few weeks. But for now, this lineup belongs to the legends who already proved themselves when the pressure was highest.
So, here is the Red Sox’s all-time postseason starting lineup.
Catcher: Jason Varitek
Boston Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek (33) after at bat during the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Jason Varitek opens up the lineup as the starting catcher.
His .237 playoff batting numbers won’t blow anyone away, but that’s not why he’s here. Simply put, nobody caught more high-stakes baseball for Boston than Varitek. He played more playoff games (63) and caught more October innings than any other catcher in Red Sox history.
In late 2004, the team named him captain, making him only the fourth player in franchise history to earn that honor, and he wore that title all the way through Boston’s 2007 title run.
He was the steady hand calling the shots behind the plate for historic starts by aces like Pedro Martinez, Curt Schilling and Josh Beckett during two championship seasons. Varitek also set a postseason record by scoring five runs in a single game during the 1999 ALDS. It has since been matched by Yankees Hideki Matsui and Alex Rodriguez.
Two championships, an unmatched October workload and his role as Boston’s captain make him the starting catcher.
First base: Kevin Youkilis
Former Boston Red Sox player Kevin Youkilis waits to take the field during pre game ceremonies prior to a game against the Atlanta Braves at Fenway Park. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Kevin Youkilis gets the nod at first base because of his postseason numbers and championship record.
He hit .306 in 29 career playoff games for Boston. Youkilis also hit six home runs and drove in 17 runs.
The “Greek God of Walks” was part of two World Series championship teams. He won titles with Boston in 2004 and 2007.
Youkilis also earned Gold Glove recognition during his career. His defense adds another reason to put him at first base.
David Ortiz produced much more postseason offense overall. However, Ortiz is already locked into the DH spot here. That leaves Youkilis as the best fit at first.
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Second base: Dustin Pedroia
Former Red Sox player Dustin Pedroia walks onto the field during a ceremony before a game against the Los Angeles Angels at Fenway Park. Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Dustin Pedroia is the clear choice at second base when October volume and team success are considered.
He played in 51 postseason games for Boston. No Red Sox second baseman appeared in more.
Pedroia also collected major individual honors during his career. He won AL Rookie of the Year in 2007 and the AL MVP award in 2008.
His two World Series rings came with the 2007 and 2013 teams. Pedroia started at second base during both title runs.
The October batting average (.233) was not his biggest strength. His role as a long-time leadoff and No. 2 hitter mattered more. He was part of a decade-long stretch when Boston regularly competed for the postseason.
Shortstop: Xander Bogaerts
Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) looks out to the crowd during the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Credit: USA TODAY Sports (Reuters)Xander Bogaerts does not have the strongest October batting average (.230) among Boston shortstops. His value comes from longevity and two championship runs.
Bogaerts appeared in five postseasons with Boston. Those came in 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2021.
He started at shortstop for the 2013 and 2018 championship teams. His long run in Boston also gave him more October opportunities than most Red Sox shortstops.
Nomar Garciaparra owns the better postseason average. He hit .321 with seven home runs and 24 RBI in 32 career playoff games.
Still, Garciaparra was traded in July 2004. He missed Boston’s championship run later that year and never won a ring with the Red Sox.
Bogaerts gets the starting job because his October career includes two titles and five different postseason appearances.
Third base: Rafael Devers
Boston Red Sox designated hitter Rafael Devers (11) hits a home run against the Texas Rangers in the seventh inning at Fenway Park. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Rafael Devers made a huge impact in October at a young age, before being traded to the San Francisco Giants in June 2025.
He hit .303 with 27 hits in 89 at-bats and posted a .955 OPS in his first 26 postseason games. Devers also drove in 26 runs and won the 2018 crown in Boston.
That RBI total was a major part of his early October record. He held the MLB record for most postseason RBI by a player aged 24 or younger.
Mike Lowell remains a serious alternative. Lowell hit .353 with two home runs and 15 RBI in 19 postseason games with Boston from 2007 through 2009.
His 2007 postseason was especially impressive. Lowell hit .400 in the World Series sweep of Colorado and became the second Puerto Rican-born World Series MVP, following Roberto Clemente in 1971.
Devers gets the starting spot because his October production came across multiple postseasons with Boston. His power and .955 OPS give him the edge over Lowell’s shorter peak.
Right field: J.D. Martinez
Boston Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez (28) reacts at third base after hitting and RBI triple against the Cincinnati Reds during the third inning at Great American Ball Park. Credit: USA TODAY Sports (Reuters)J.D. Martinez gets the right-field spot because of what he did during Boston’s historic 2018 run.
Martinez hit .300/.403/.520 across 14 postseason games that year. He drove in 14 runs and reached base in 13 of Boston’s 14 playoff games.
More importantly, he homered in every round. That included the ALDS, ALCS and World Series.
His 14 RBIs ranked fifth among Red Sox players in a single postseason. Boston won 108 games that season before finishing the job with a World Series title.
Center field: Jacoby Ellsbury
Boston Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury reacts after scoring a run against the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth inning during game six of the MLB baseball World Series at Fenway Park. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Jacoby Ellsbury brought speed and energy to two championship teams.
His first big October came in 2007. At 24 years old, Ellsbury hit .360 in 25 at-bats across 11 postseason games. In Game 3 of that World Series, his two doubles in the same inning made him the first rookie ever to do that in a World Series game, and a third double later in the contest made him just the fourth rookie in history to hit three doubles in a single World Series game.
Six years later, Ellsbury played another important role during Boston’s 2013 title run.
Two World Series rings and strong postseason numbers make him the choice in center field.
Left field: Manny Ramirez
Former player Manny Ramirez was threw a ceremonial first pitch as part of the Red Sox Hall of Fame induction before a game against the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park. Credit: USA TODAY Sports (Reuters)Manny Ramirez was at the heart of Boston’s 2004 breakthrough.
He hit .412 with a home run and four RBI in the World Series sweep of St. Louis. That performance earned him World Series MVP honors.
His overall postseason record with Boston was also strong. Ramirez hit .321 with 11 home runs and 38 RBI in 43 games.
There is another strong number attached to his October career. Ramirez finished with 29 career postseason home runs, which remains the MLB record by a comfortable margin. Jose Altuve is next at 27.
Carl Yastrzemski is the strongest alternative. Yaz hit .369 with a .600 slugging percentage and a .447 OBP over 76 career postseason plate appearances, including a .400 average in the 1967 World Series.
But his Red Sox teams came up short both times they reached the World Series, losing in seven games in both 1967 and 1975. Manny gets the spot because he combined elite hitting with a championship and a World Series MVP.
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Designated hitter: David Ortiz
Former Boston Red Sox star David Ortiz at fenway for a Make A Wish meet and greet before the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)David Ortiz is the easiest choice on the entire roster. Big Papi owns the Red Sox postseason records for home runs (17) and RBI (61).
His 2013 World Series was one of the greatest individual Fall Classic performances in franchise history. Ortiz hit .688 against St. Louis. He posted a 1.948 OPS with two home runs and six RBIs.
That performance helped Boston win its third championship of the 21st century. Ortiz also played a major role in the 2004 title run. His ALCS work against the Yankees helped push Boston into its first World Series since 1986.
Three World Series rings only add to the case.
Starting pitcher: Jon Lester
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester (31) throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)When it came to October, you could always count on Jon Lester. In his 13 postseason games for Boston, he went 6-4 with a 2.11 ERA and struck out 68 batters.
He was at his best in the biggest moments. In Game 4 of the 2007 World Series, he started the clinching game and didn’t give up a single run through nearly six innings. In 2013, he led the pitching staff, winning both of his World Series starts against the Cardinals while barely giving up any runs at all (a 0.59 ERA).
Pedro Martinez and Curt Schilling had some unforgettable playoff games, but Lester was steady year after year. Having won two championship rings with the Red Sox, he is the clear pick to start Game 1.
Reliever: Jonathan Papelbon
Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon (58) delivers a pitch in the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The Red Sox won 8-6. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Koji Uehara was incredible during the 2013 championship run, but Jonathan Papelbon is the easy choice to finish games. In 18 playoff outings for Boston, he had a tiny 1.00 ERA, struck out 23 batters and locked down seven saves.
Fans loved watching him run in from the bullpen to “I’m Shipping Up to Boston.” Even more impressive, he pitched his first 26 playoff innings across three different years without giving up a single earned run. Papelbon got the final out to win the 2007 World Series. We was the best playoff closer the Red Sox ever had.
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