MLB has announced its tentative schedule for the 2012 season. The Red Sox will play their first game on Thursday, April 5, when they face the Tigers at Comerica Park in Detroit. They will close the regular seasonon October 3 at Yankee Stadium.
The team will celebrate Fenway Park's 100th anniversary during Boston's first homestand. The centennial will take place Friday, April 20, against the Yankees, exactly one century after the two clubs faced off to open the ballpark.
The Orioles will also have a celebration in April; the 20th anniversary of Oriole Park at Camden Yards will be held Friday, April 6, when Baltimore opens its season against the Twins.
Baseball's opener will be a single game on Wednesday, April 4, with the St. Louis Cardinals playing the renamed Miami Marlins at Florida's new ballpark.
All teams will have a four-game All-Star break. The 83rd Midsummer Classic will be played July 10 in Kansas City. The regular season will resume on Friday, June 13.
MLB has, again, managed to avoid November baseball; the 2012 World Series will end no later than October.
From 2009 to 2011, the Red Sox have opened each season against the American League Champion. Boston will attempt to break that streak with a trip to the World Series this October.