1978 Boston Red Sox season

Offseason

• November 23, 1977: Mike Torrez was signed as a free agent by the Boston Red Sox.
• December 8, 1977: Don Aase and cash were traded by the Red Sox to the California Angels for Jerry Remy.
• December 14, 1977: Ferguson Jenkins was traded by the Red Sox to the Texas Rangers for John Poloni and cash.
• December 27, 1977: Dick Drago was signed as a free agent by the Red Sox.
• March 28, 1978: Denny Doyle was released by the Red Sox.
• March 30, 1978: Rick Wise, Mike Paxton, Ted Cox, and Bo Díaz were traded by the Red Sox to the Cleveland Indians for Dennis Eckersley and Fred Kendall.

Regular season

The Red Sox played 163 games, as a tie-breaker game was needed to determine the winner of the AL East.

The "Boston Massacre"

For several days in July, the Red Sox were 14 games ahead of the rival New York Yankees; at the end of play on July 19, Boston was 62–28 and New York was in fourth place at 48–42. However, the Yankees worked their way back. At the end of play on September 6, the Yankees had reduced the 14-game deficit to only four games, just in time for a four-game series at Fenway Park in Boston. The Yankees won all four games in the series, by a combined score of 42–9, leaving the teams tied with identical 86–56 records at the end of play on September 10. The series became known as the "Boston Massacre", named after the confrontation with British soldiers on March 5, 1770.

Tie-breaker game

The Yankees held a one-game lead over the Red Sox before the final day of the regular-season schedule. With a Red Sox win over the Toronto Blue Jays, and a Yankee loss to the Cleveland Indians, the two teams finished the season in a tie for the AL East division title, both with records of 99–63. The next day, in a tie-breaker game played at Fenway Park, the Yankees beat the Red Sox, 5–4, with the help of a memorable home run by Bucky Dent. Main article: 1978 American League East tie-breaker game

The Yankees went on to win the World Series in six games over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Dent went on to become an object of hatred for Red Sox fans. Ironically, 12 years later, in 1990, the Yankees fired Dent as their manager during a series at Fenway Park.

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Notable transactions

• May 20, 1978: Bob Ojeda was signed as an amateur free agent by the Red Sox.

Opening Day lineup

Source:

Roster

Game log

|-style=background:#fbb | 1 || April 7 || @ White Sox || 5–6 || LaGrow (1–0) || Drago (0–1) || || Comiskey Park || 50,754 || 0–1 |-style=background:#fbb | 2 || April 8 || @ White Sox || 5–6 || Torrealba (1–0) || Campbell (0–1) || LaGrow (1) || Comiskey Park || 11,832 || 0–2 |-style=background:#bfb | 3 || April 9 || @ White Sox || 5–0 || Lee (1–0) || Wood (0–1) || || Comiskey Park || 30,794 || 1–2 |-style=background:#fbb | 4 || April 10 || @ Indians || 4–5 || Kern (1–0) || Cleveland (0–1) || || Cleveland Stadium || 4,177 || 1–3 |-style=background:#bfb | 5 || April 12 || @ Indians || 6–3 || Torrez (1–0) || Garland (1–1) || Drago (1) || Cleveland Stadium || 6,234 || 2–3 |-style=background:#bfb | 6 || April 14 || Rangers || 5–4 (10) || Drago (1–1) || Barker (0–1) || || Fenway Park || 34,747 || 3–3 |-style=background:#bfb | 7 || April 15 || Rangers || 12–4 || Lee (2–0) || D. Ellis (1–1) || || Fenway Park || 18,624 || 4–3 |-style=background:#bfb | 8 || April 16 || Rangers || 8–6 || Stanley (1–0) || Umbarger (0–1) || Burgmeier (1) || Fenway Park || 22,168 || 5–3 |-style=background:#bfb | 9 || April 17 || Brewers || 9–2 || Torrez (2–0) || Stein (0–1) || || Fenway Park || 26,075 || 6–3 |-style=background:#bfb | 10 || April 18 || Brewers || 7–6 || Tiant (1–0) || Rodríguez (0–1) || || Fenway Park || 18,928 || 7–3 |- style="background:#bbb;" | — || April 20 || Brewers || colspan=7| Postponed (rain); Makeup: August 12 |-style=background:#bfb | 11 || April 20 || Brewers || 10–4 || Lee (3–0) || Haas (2–2) || || Fenway Park || 16,238 || 8–3 |-style=background:#bfb | 12 || April 21 || Indians || 9–7 || Drago (2–1) || Kern (1–1) || || Fenway Park || 25,401 || 9–3 |-style=background:#fbb | 13 || April 22 || Indians || 4–13 || Wise (1–2) || Ripley (0–1) || || Fenway Park || 36,005 || 9–4 |-style=background:#bfb | 14 || April 23 || Indians || 6–3 || Campbell (1–1) || Kinney (0–1) || || Fenway Park || – || 10–4 |-style=background:#fbb | 15 || April 23 || Indians || 7–10 (11) || Kern (2–1) || Stanley (1–1) || Kinney (1) || Fenway Park || 36,246 || 10–5 |-style=background:#bfb | 16 || April 25 || @ Brewers || 4–3 || Lee (4–0) || Augustine (3–2) || Drago (2) || County Stadium || 9,051 || 11–5 |-style=background:#fbb | 17 || April 26 || @ Brewers || 4–6 || Caldwell (1–0) || Torrez (2–1) || McClure (2) || County Stadium || 8,724 || 11–6 |-style=background:#fbb | 18 || April 28 || @ Rangers || 4–5 (11) || Cleveland (1–2) || Campbell (1–2) || || Arlington Stadium || 29,731 || 11–7 |-style=background:#fbb | 19 || April 29 || @ Rangers || 1–4 || D. Ellis (2–1) || Eckersley (0–1) || || Arlington Stadium || 34,101 || 11–8 |-style=background:#fbb | 20 || April 30 || @ Rangers || 1–2 || Jenkins (1–2) || Campbell (1–3) || || Arlington Stadium || 22,554 || 11–9 |-style=background:#bfb | 21 || May 1 || Orioles || 9–6 || Torrez (3–1) || Briles (1–2) || Stanley (1) || Fenway Park || 18,710 || 12–9 |-style=background:#fbb | 22 || May 2 || Orioles || 1–3 || D. Martínez (3–1) || Ripley (0–2) || || Fenway Park || 19,930 || 12–10 |-style=background:#bfb | 23 || May 3 || Twins || 11–9 || Burgmeier (1–0) || D. Johnson (0–2) || Stanley (2) || Fenway Park || 16,403 || 13–10 |-style=background:#bfb | 24 || May 4 || Twins || 8–1 || Eckersley (1–1) || Thormodsgard (1–3) || || Fenway Park || 15,784 || 14–10 |- style="background:#bbb;" | — || May 5 || White Sox || colspan=7| Postponed (rain); Makeup: May 6 |-style=background:#bfb | 25 || May 6 || White Sox || 6–4 (10) || Stanley (2–1) || Willoughby (0–2) || || Fenway Park || – || 15–10 |-style=background:#bfb | 26 || May 6 || White Sox || 3–0 || Wright (1–0) || Barrios (0–2) || || Fenway Park || 32,238 || 16–10 |-style=background:#bfb | 27 || May 7 || White Sox || 5–0 || Torrez (4–1) || Torrealba (1–4) || || Fenway Park || 30,921 || 17–10 |-style=background:#bfb | 28 || May 8 || Royals || 8–4 || Stanley (3–1) || Leonard (3–5) || || Fenway Park || 25,891 || 18–10 |-style=background:#bfb | 29 || May 9 || Royals || 4–3 || Eckersley (2–1) || Colborn (1–2) || || Fenway Park || 22,369 || 19–10 |-style=background:#fbb | 30 || May 10 || @ Orioles || 2–3 || Flanagan (3–3) || Burgmeier (1–1) || || Memorial Stadium || 10,023 || 19–11 |-style=background:#bfb | 31 || May 11 || @ Orioles || 5–4 || Lee (5–0) || D. Martínez (3–2) || Drago (3) || Memorial Stadium || 14,950 || 20–11 |- style="background:#bbb;" | — || May 12 || @ Twins || colspan=7| Postponed (rain); Makeup: July 24 |-style=background:#bfb | 32 || May 13 || @ Twins || 4–2 || Torrez (5–1) || Zahn (2–2) || Burgmeier (2) || Metropolitan Stadium || 7,914 || 21–11 |-style=background:#bfb | 33 || May 14 || @ Twins || 6–2 || Eckersley (3–1) || Thormodsgard (1–5) || Burgmeier (3) || Metropolitan Stadium || 7,008 || 22–11 |-style=background:#fbb | 34 || May 15 || @ Royals || 1–3 || Gale (3–0) || Ripley (0–3) || || Royals Stadium || 34,166 || 22–12 |-style=background:#bfb | 35 || May 16 || @ Royals || 3–2 || Lee (6–0) || Splittorff (4–3) || || Royals Stadium || 23,474 || 23–12 |-style=background:#fbb | 36 || May 19 || @ Tigers || 5–7 || Sykes (3–0) || Torrez (5–2) || Hiller (4) || Tiger Stadium || 48,817 || 23–13 |-style=background:#bfb | 37 || May 20 || @ Tigers || 6–5 || Campbell (2–3) || Foucault (1–4) || || Tiger Stadium || 30,856 || 24–13 |-style=background:#fbb | 38 || May 21 || @ Tigers || 1–2 || Wilcox (3–1) || Lee (6–1) || || Tiger Stadium || – || 24–14 |-style=background:#bfb | 39 || May 21 || @ Tigers || 9–3 || Tiant (2–0) || Rozema (2–2) || || Tiger Stadium || 52,368 || 25–14 |-style=background:#bfb | 40 || May 22 || @ Blue Jays || 5–4 || Ripley (1–3) || Clancy (2–4) || Stanley (3) || Exhibition Stadium || 25,054 || 26–14 |-style=background:#fbb | 41 || May 23 || @ Blue Jays || 1–2 (12) || Jefferson (3–5) || Campbell (2–4) || || Exhibition Stadium || 14,578 || 26–15 |-style=background:#bfb | 42 || May 24 || @ Blue Jays || 8–2 || Torrez (6–2) || Lemanczyk (1–8) || || Exhibition Stadium || 28,825 || 27–15 |-style=background:#bfb | 43 || May 25 || @ Blue Jays || 9–5 || Eckersley (4–1) || Underwood (1–5) || Drago (4) || Exhibition Stadium || 17,197 || 28–15 |-style=background:#bfb | 44 || May 26 || Tigers || 6–3 || Lee (7–1) || Wilcox (3–2) || || Fenway Park || 33,431 || 29–15 |-style=background:#bfb | 45 || May 27 || Tigers || 1–0 || Tiant (3–0) || Morris (0–1) || || Fenway Park || 33,335 || 30–15 |-style=background:#bfb | 46 || May 28 || Tigers || 4–3 (10) || Stanley (4–1) || Hiller (4–3) || || Fenway Park || – || 31–15 |-style=background:#bfb | 47 || May 28 || Tigers || 4–3 || Wright (2–0) || Slaton (4–2) || Drago (5) || Fenway Park || 34,672 || 32–15 |-style=background:#bfb | 48 || May 29 || Blue Jays || 5–4 || Torrez (7–2) || Underwood (1–6) || || Fenway Park || 25,935 || 33–15 |-style=background:#bfb | 49 || May 30 || Blue Jays || 4–0 || Eckersley (5–1) || Garvin (2–4) || || Fenway Park || 25,853 || 34–15 |-style=background:#fbb | 50 || May 31 || Blue Jays || 2–6 || Clancy (4–4) || Lee (7–2) || || Fenway Park || 27,945 || 34–16 |-style=background:#bfb | 51 || June 2 || @ Angels || 6–1 || Tiant (4–0) || Ryan (3–5) || Drago (6) || Anaheim Stadium || 31,324 || 35–16 |-style=background:#bfb | 52 || June 3 || @ Angels || 5–4 || Torrez (8–2) || Hartzell (1–4) || Campbell (1) || Anaheim Stadium || 34,228 || 36–16 |-style=background:#fbb | 53 || June 4 || @ Angels || 2–4 || Tanana (9–2) || Eckersley (5–2) || LaRoche (7) || Anaheim Stadium || 29,911 || 36–17 |-style=background:#fbb | 54 || June 5 || @ Athletics || 7–9 || Broberg (6–4) || Ripley (1–4) || Sosa (8) || Oakland Coliseum || 36,463 || 36–18 |-style=background:#fbb | 55 || June 6 || @ Athletics || 1–7 || Renko (1–1) || Lee (7–3) || || Oakland Coliseum || 7,914 || 36–19 |-style=background:#bfb | 56 || June 9 || @ Mariners || 3–2 || Tiant (5–0) || Mitchell (2–6) || || Kingdome || 11,677 || 37–19 |-style=background:#bfb | 57 || June 10 || @ Mariners || 13–1 || Torrez (9–2) || Pole (4–7) || || Kingdome || 15,910 || 38–19 |-style=background:#bfb | 58 || June 11 || @ Mariners || 5–3 || Eckersley (6–2) || McLaughlin (0–2) || Campbell (2) || Kingdome || 18,626 || 39–19 |-style=background:#bfb | 59 || June 12 || Angels || 10–9 || Campbell (3–4) || LaRoche (5–3) || || Fenway Park || 31,652 || 40–19 |-style=background:#bfb | 60 || June 13 || Angels || 5–0 || Wright (3–0) || Knapp (6–5) || || Fenway Park || 26,539 || 41–19 |-style=background:#bfb | 61 || June 14 || Athletics || 9–0 || Tiant (6–0) || Broberg (6–6) || || Fenway Park || 29,690 || 42–19 |-style=background:#bfb | 62 || June 15 || Athletics || 7–3 || Torrez (10–2) || Lacey (5–3) || || Fenway Park || 32,281 || 43–19 |-style=background:#bfb | 63 || June 16 || Mariners || 6–3 || Campbell (4–4) || Pole (4–8) || || Fenway Park || 31,519 || 44–19 |-style=background:#bfb | 64 || June 17 || Mariners || 5–4 || Stanley (5–1) || Montague (0–3) || || Fenway Park || 32,551 || 45–19 |-style=background:#fbb | 65 || June 18 || Mariners || 2–3 || Abbott (2–4) || Wright (3–1) || || Fenway Park || 28,961 || 45–20 |-style=background:#bfb | 66 || June 19 || Yankees || 10–4 || Burgmeier (2–1) || Gossage (3–7) || || Fenway Park || 33,163 || 46–20 |-style=background:#fbb | 67 || June 20 || Yankees || 4–10 || Gullett (2–0) || Torrez (10–3) || || Fenway Park || 32,643 || 46–21 |-style=background:#bfb | 68 || June 21 || Yankees || 9–2 || Eckersley (7–2) || Beattie (2–3) || || Fenway Park || 32,459 || 47–21 |-style=background:#bfb | 69 || June 23 || Orioles || 5–2 || Lee (8–3) || Palmer (10–5) || || Fenway Park || 34,582 || 48–21 |-style=background:#bfb | 70 || June 24 || Orioles || 8–3 || Tiant (7–0) || McGregor (8–5) || || Fenway Park || 32,213 || 49–21 |-style=background:#bfb | 71 || June 25 || Orioles || 4–1 || Torrez (11–3) || D. Martínez (6–5) || || Fenway Park || 33,526 || 50–21 |-style=background:#bfb | 72 || June 26 || @ Yankees || 4–1 || Eckersley (8–2) || Messersmith (0–2) || Campbell (3) || Yankee Stadium || 52,124 || 51–21 |-style=background:#fbb | 73 || June 27 || @ Yankees || 4–6 (14) || Lyle (6–1) || Drago (2–2) || || Yankee Stadium || 55,132 || 51–22 |-style=background:#bfb | 74 || June 29 || @ Orioles || 4–3 || Ripley (2–4) || D. Martínez (6–6) || || Memorial Stadium || 28,899 || 52–22 |-style=background:#fbb | 75 || June 30 || @ Orioles || 2–3 (11) || Stanhouse (2–5) || Tiant (7–1) || || Memorial Stadium || 33,034 || 52–23 |-style=background:#fbb | 76 || July 1 || @ Orioles || 2–3 (11) || Briles (2–4) || Torrez (11–4) || || Memorial Stadium || 38,542 || 52–24 |- style="background:#bbb;" | — || July 2 || @ Orioles || colspan=7| Postponed (rain); Makeup: September 6 |-style=background:#bfb | 77 || July 3 || Yankees || 9–5 || Eckersley (9–2) || Figueroa (7–6) || || Fenway Park || 34,722 || 53–24 |- style="background:#bbb;" | — || July 4 || Yankees || colspan=7| Postponed (rain); Makeup: September 7 |-style=background:#bfb | 78 || July 5 || @ White Sox || 9–2 || Lee (9–3) || Stone (6–6) || Stanley (4) || Comiskey Park || 26,434 || 54–24 |-style=background:#bfb | 79 || July 6 || @ White Sox || 7–6 (10) || Campbell (5–4) || Willoughby (1–6) || || Comiskey Park || 29,330 || 55–24 |-style=background:#fbb | 80 || July 7 || @ Indians || 9–10 || Spillner (2–0) || Campbell (5–5) || || Cleveland Stadium || 19,543 || 55–25 |-style=background:#bfb | 81 || July 8 || @ Indians || 12–5 || Eckersley (10–2) || Paxton (6–5) || || Cleveland Stadium || – || 56–25 |-style=background:#bfb | 82 || July 8 || @ Indians || 3–2 || Wright (4–1) || Clyde (4–5) || Stanley (5) || Cleveland Stadium || 41,859 || 57–25 |-style=background:#fbb | 83 || July 9 || @ Indians || 1–7 || Wise (7–11) || Ripley (2–5) || || Cleveland Stadium || 41,394 || 57–26 |-style=background:#bbcaff | ASG || July 11 || All-Star Game || AL 3–7 NL || Sutter (1–0) || Gossage (0–1) || || San Diego Stadium || 51,549 || |-style=background:#fbb | 84 || July 13 || Rangers || 7–12 || D. Ellis (8–4) || Tiant (7–2) || || Fenway Park || 33,995 || 57–27 |-style=background:#fbb | 85 || July 14 || Rangers || 3–4 || Jenkins (9–4) || Torrez (11–5) || Cleveland (9) || Fenway Park || 32,899 || 57–28 |-style=background:#bfb | 86 || July 15 || Twins || 5–4 || Lee (10–3) || Jackson (2–2) || Stanley (6) || Fenway Park || 32,861 || 58–28 |-style=background:#bfb | 87 || July 16 || Twins || 5–3 || Eckersley (11–2) || Harrison (0–1) || Campbell (4) || Fenway Park || – || 59–28 |-style=background:#bfb | 88 || July 16 || Twins || 3–2 || Wright (5–1) || Erickson (9–6) || Stanley (7) || Fenway Park || 35,589 || 60–28 |-style=background:#bfb | 89 || July 17 || Twins || 3–2 (10) || Campbell (6–5) || Marshall (4–7) || || Fenway Park || 33,233 || 61–28 |-style=background:#bfb | 90 || July 19 || @ Brewers || 8–2 || Torrez (12–5) || Sorensen (12–6) || || County Stadium || 45,332 || 62–28 |-style=background:#fbb | 91 || July 20 || @ Brewers || 6–8 || Rodríguez (2–3) || Lee (10–4) || McClure (5) || County Stadium || 35,044 || 62–29 |-style=background:#fbb | 92 || July 21 || @ Royals || 0–9 || Splittorff (11–8) || Eckersley (11–3) || || Royals Stadium || 39,841 || 62–30 |-style=background:#fbb | 93 || July 22 || @ Royals || 5–6 (10) || Hrabosky (4–3) || Drago (2–3) || || Royals Stadium || 37,538 || 62–31 |-style=background:#fbb | 94 || July 23 || @ Royals || 3–7 || Pattin (2–2) || Wright (5–2) || || Royals Stadium || 39,425 || 62–32 |-style=background:#fbb | 95 || July 24 || @ Twins || 4–5 || Jackson (3–3) || Drago (2–4) || Marshall (12) || Metropolitan Stadium || – || 62–33 |-style=background:#bfb | 96 || July 24 || @ Twins || 4–2 || Hassler (2–4) || Zahn (8–9) || Stanley (8) || Metropolitan Stadium || 21,580 || 63–33 |-style=background:#fbb | 97 || July 25 || @ Twins || 2–5 || Erickson (10–6) || Lee (10–5) || Marshall (13) || Metropolitan Stadium || 18,608 || 63–34 |-style=background:#fbb | 98 || July 26 || @ Rangers || 0–2 || Medich (5–5) || Eckersley (11–4) || || Arlington Stadium || 21,671 || 63–35 |-style=background:#fbb | 99 || July 27 || @ Rangers || 1–3 || Matlack (8–8) || Tiant (7–3) || || Arlington Stadium || 29,684 || 63–36 |-style=background:#fbb | 100 || July 28 || Royals || 0–4 || Gale (12–3) || Torrez (12–6) || || Fenway Park || 35,348 || 63–37 |-style=background:#bfb | 101 || July 29 || Royals || 1–0 || Wright (6–2) || Leonard (12–12) || || Fenway Park || 35,098 || 64–37 |-style=background:#fbb | 102 || July 30 || Royals || 1–2 || Splittorff (12–9) || Lee (10–6) || Hrabosky (14) || Fenway Park || 34,626 || 64–38 |-style=background:#bfb | 103 || July 31 || White Sox || 9–2 || Eckersley (12–4) || Kravec (7–10) || || Fenway Park || 28,858 || 65–38 |-style=background:#fbb | 104 || August 1 || White Sox || 2–5 || Proly (2–0) || Tiant (7–4) || || Fenway Park || 30,020 || 65–39 |-style=background:#bfb | 105 || August 2 || @ Yankees || 7–5 (17) || Stanley (6–1) || Clay (2–4) || || Yankee Stadium || 52,701 || 66–39 |-style=background:#bfb | 106 || August 3 || @ Yankees || 8–1 (7) || Torrez (13–6) || Beattie (2–6) || || Yankee Stadium || 53,379 || 67–39 |-style=background:#fbb | 107 || August 4 || @ Brewers || 2–6 || Sorensen (13–8) || Lee (10–7) || || County Stadium || 52,562 || 67–40 |-style=background:#bfb | 108 || August 5 || @ Brewers || 8–1 || Eckersley (13–4) || Rodríguez (2–5) || || County Stadium || 52,968 || 68–40 |-style=background:#bfb | 109 || August 6 || @ Brewers || 4–0 || Tiant (8–4) || Travers (7–6) || || County Stadium || 48,444 || 69–40 |-style=background:#bfb | 110 || August 8 || Indians || 9–7 || Stanley (7–1) || Freisleben (1–3) || || Fenway Park || 34,485 || 70–40 |-style=background:#fbb | 111 || August 9 || Indians || 1–5 || Wise (9–14) || Lee (10–8) || Kern (9) || Fenway Park || 33,285 || 70–41 |-style=background:#bfb | 112 || August 10 || Indians || 6–5 (13) || Stanley (8–1) || Spillner (2–1) || || Fenway Park || 33,541 || 71–41 |-style=background:#fbb | 113 || August 11 || Brewers || 5–10 || Rodríguez (3–5) || Tiant (8–5) || || Fenway Park || 35,142 || 71–42 |-style=background:#bfb | 114 || August 12 || Brewers || 3–1 || Wright (7–2) || Travers (7–7) || || Fenway Park || 33,092 || 72–42 |-style=background:#bfb | 115 || August 12 || Brewers || 11–4 || Stanley (9–1) || Caldwell (14–7) || || Fenway Park || 27,030 || 73–42 |-style=background:#bfb | 116 || August 13 || Brewers || 4–3 (10) || Torrez (14–6) || Castro (3–4) || || Fenway Park || 34,460 || 74–42 |-style=background:#fbb | 117 || August 14 || Brewers || 3–4 || Sorensen (14–8) || Lee (10–9) || McClure (7) || Fenway Park || 33,766 || 74–43 |-style=background:#fbb | 118 || August 15 || @ Angels || 2–5 || Tanana (16–7) || Eckersley (13–5) || || Anaheim Stadium || 41,144 || 74–44 |-style=background:#bfb | 119 || August 16 || @ Angels || 4–2 || Tiant (9–5) || Ryan (6–11) || || Anaheim Stadium || 37,535 || 75–44 |-style=background:#bfb | 120 || August 17 || @ Angels || 8–6 || Stanley (10–1) || Griffin (2–4) || || Anaheim Stadium || 30,486 || 76–44 |-style=background:#bfb | 121 || August 18 || @ Athletics || 6–3 || Torrez (15–6) || Renko (6–8) || Drago (7) || Oakland Coliseum || 12,730 || 77–44 |-style=background:#fbb | 122 || August 19 || @ Athletics || 4–8 || Johnson (10–6) || Lee (10–10) || Lacey (5) || Oakland Coliseum || 11,806 || 77–45 |-style=background:#bfb | 123 || August 20 || @ Athletics || 4–2 || Eckersley (14–5) || Keough (7–11) || || Oakland Coliseum || 13,411 || 78–45 |-style=background:#fbb | 124 || August 22 || @ Mariners || 2–5 || Abbott (6–10) || Tiant (9–6) || || Kingdome || 21,486 || 78–46 |-style=background:#fbb | 125 || August 23 || @ Mariners || 3–5 || McLaughlin (2–4) || Torrez (15–7) || Romo (10) || Kingdome || 22,718 || 78–47 |-style=background:#bfb | 126 || August 25 || Angels || 6–0 || Eckersley (15–5) || Aase (8–8) || || Fenway Park || 33,583 || 79–47 |-style=background:#bfb | 127 || August 26 || Angels || 7–1 || Wright (8–2) || Hartzell (5–8) || || Fenway Park || 33,531 || 80–47 |-style=background:#bfb | 128 || August 27 || Angels || 4–3 (12) || Stanley (11–1) || D. Miller (4–1) || || Fenway Park || 34,216 || 81–47 |-style=background:#bfb | 129 || August 28 || Mariners || 10–9 || Stanley (12–1) || Romo (10–6) || || Fenway Park || 24,301 || 82–47 |-style=background:#bfb | 130 || August 29 || Mariners || 10–5 || Drago (3–1) || McLaughlin (2–5) || Burgmeier (4) || Fenway Park || 32,393 || 83–47 |-style=background:#bfb | 131 || August 30 || Blue Jays || 2–1 || Eckersley (16–5) || Kirkwood (3–2) || || Fenway Park || – || 84–47 |-style=background:#fbb | 132 || August 30 || Blue Jays || 6–7 || Cruz (6–1) || Stanley (12–2) || || Fenway Park || 32,825 || 84–48 |-style=background:#fbb | 133 || September 1 || Athletics || 1–5 || Keough (8–11) || Tiant (9–7) || || Fenway Park || 30,156 || 84–49 |-style=background:#fbb | 134 || September 2 || Athletics || 3–4 || Langford (7–10) || Torrez (15–8) || Heaverlo (10) || Fenway Park || 33,051 || 84–50 |-style=background:#bfb | 135 || September 3 || Athletics || 11–6 || Stanley (13–2) || Broberg (9–11) || || Fenway Park || 29,029 || 85–50 |-style=background:#fbb | 136 || September 4 || @ Orioles || 3–5 || McGregor (13–12) || Eckersley (16–6) || Stanhouse (20) || Memorial Stadium || 17,967 || 85–51 |-style=background:#fbb | 137 || September 5 || @ Orioles || 1–4 || Palmer (18–12) || Sprowl (0–1) || Stanhouse (21) || Memorial Stadium || 15,644 || 85–52 |-style=background:#bfb | 138 || September 6 || @ Orioles || 2–0 || Tiant (10–7) || D. Martínez (12–11) || || Memorial Stadium || 11,251 || 86–52 |-style=background:#fbb | 139 || September 7 || Yankees || 3–15 || Clay (3–4) || Torrez (15–9) || || Fenway Park || 34,119 || 86–53 |-style=background:#fbb | 140 || September 8 || Yankees || 2–13 || Beattie (4–7) || Wright (8–3) || || Fenway Park || 33,134 || 86–54 |-style=background:#fbb | 141 || September 9 || Yankees || 0–7 || Guidry (21–2) || Eckersley (16–7) || || Fenway Park || 33,611 || 86–55 |-style=background:#fbb | 142 || September 10 || Yankees || 4–7 || Figueroa (16–9) || Sprowl (0–2) || Gossage (23) || Fenway Park || 32,786 || 86–56 |-style=background:#bfb | 143 || September 11 || Orioles || 5–4 || Stanley (14–2) || Kerrigan (3–1) || || Fenway Park || 28,575 || 87–56 |-style=background:#fbb | 144 || September 12 || Orioles || 2–3 || D. Martínez (13–11) || Torrez (15–10) || || Fenway Park || 28,924 || 87–57 |-style=background:#fbb | 145 || September 13 || @ Indians || 1–2 || Clyde (7–10) || Eckersley (16–8) || Kern (12) || Cleveland Stadium || 5,568 || 87–58 |-style=background:#fbb | 146 || September 14 || @ Indians || 3–4 || Paxton (11–9) || Wright (8–4) || Kern (13) || Cleveland Stadium || 4,479 || 87–59 |-style=background:#fbb | 147 || September 15 || @ Yankees || 0–4 || Guidry (22–2) || Tiant (10–8) || || Yankee Stadium || 54,901 || 87–60 |-style=background:#fbb | 148 || September 16 || @ Yankees || 2–3 || Hunter (10–5) || Torrez (15–11) || || Yankee Stadium || 55,091 || 87–61 |-style=background:#bfb | 149 || September 17 || @ Yankees || 7–3 || Eckersley (17–8) || Beattie (5–8) || Stanley (9) || Yankee Stadium || 55,088 || 88–61 |-style=background:#bfb | 150 || September 18 || @ Tigers || 5–4 (11) || Hassler (3–4) || Baker (1–3) || || Tiger Stadium || 13,849 || 89–61 |-style=background:#bfb | 151 || September 19 || @ Tigers || 8–6 || Campbell (7–5) || Morris (3–5) || Hassler (1) || Tiger Stadium || 15,901 || 90–61 |-style=background:#fbb | 152 || September 20 || @ Tigers || 2–12 || Rozema (9–10) || Torrez (15–12) || || Tiger Stadium || 16,689 || 90–62 |-style=background:#bfb | 153 || September 21 || @ Tigers || 5–1 || Eckersley (18–8) || Wilcox (13–11) || || Tiger Stadium || 15,213 || 91–62 |-style=background:#fbb | 154 || September 22 || @ Blue Jays || 4–5 || Murphy (6–9) || Hassler (3–5) || || Exhibition Stadium || 22,172 || 91–63 |-style=background:#bfb | 155 || September 23 || @ Blue Jays || 3–1 || Tiant (11–8) || Jefferson (7–15) || || Exhibition Stadium || 30,059 || 92–63 |-style=background:#bfb | 156 || September 24 || @ Blue Jays || 7–6 (14) || Drago (4–4) || Buskey (0–1) || || Exhibition Stadium || 33,618 || 93–63 |-style=background:#bfb | 157 || September 26 || Tigers || 6–0 || Eckersley (19–8) || Rozema (9–11) || || Fenway Park || 27,078 || 94–63 |-style=background:#bfb | 158 || September 27 || Tigers || 5–2 || Tiant (12–8) || Wilcox (13–12) || Stanley (10) || Fenway Park || 26,035 || 95–63 |-style=background:#bfb | 159 || September 28 || Tigers || 1–0 || Torrez (16–12) || Young (6–7) || || Fenway Park || 26,774 || 96–63 |-style=background:#bfb | 160 || September 29 || Blue Jays || 11–0 || Stanley (15–2) || Clancy (10–12) || || Fenway Park || 29,626 || 97–63 |-style=background:#bfb | 161 || September 30 || Blue Jays || 5–1 || Eckersley (20–8) || Jefferson (7–16) || || Fenway Park || 32,659 || 98–63 |-style=background:#bfb | 162 || October 1 || Blue Jays || 5–0 || Tiant (13–8) || Kirkwood (4–5) || || Fenway Park || 29,201 || 99–63 |-style=background:#fbb | 163 || October 2 || Yankees || 4–5 || Guidry (25–3) || Torrez (16–13) || Gossage (27) || Fenway Park || 32,925 || 99–64

Player stats

Batting

Starters by position

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; CG = Complete games; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

AL East tie-breaker game

Main article: 1978 American League East tie-breaker game

|}}

Awards and honors

;Awards

• Dwight Evans – Gold Glove Award (OF)
• Fred Lynn – Gold Glove Award (OF)
• Jim Rice – American League Most Valuable Player, AL Player of the Month (May, August)

;Accomplishments

• Jim Rice, American League leader, Hits (213)
• Jim Rice, American League leader, Home runs (46)
• Jim Rice, American League leader, RBIs (139)

;All-Star Game

• Rick Burleson, reserve SS (did not attend)
• Dwight Evans, reserve OF
• Carlton Fisk, starting C
• Fred Lynn, reserve OF (started CF)
• Jerry Remy, reserve 2B
• Jim Rice, starting LF
• Carl Yastrzemski, reserve OF (did not attend)

Farm system

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Bristol Source:

References

References

1. (October 2, 1978). "New York Yankees 5, Boston Red Sox 4". Retrosheet.
2. [https://www.baseball-reference.com/t/torremi01.shtml Mike Torrez page at Baseball Reference]
3. [https://www.baseball-reference.com/a/aasedo01.shtml Don Aase page at Baseball Reference]
4. "Red Sox trade future Hall of Fame pitcher Fergie Jenkins to Rangers".
5. [https://www.baseball-reference.com/d/dragodi01.shtml Dick Drago page at Baseball Reference]
6. [https://www.baseball-reference.com/d/doylede01.shtml Denny Doyle page at Baseball Reference]
7. [https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/eckerde01.shtml Dennis Eckersley page at Baseball Reference]
8. "The 1978 Boston Red Sox".
9. "Events of Sunday, April 30, 1978".
10. "Events of Wednesday, May 31, 1978".
11. "Events of Friday, June 30, 1978".
12. "Events of Monday, July 31, 1978".
13. "Events of Thursday, August 31, 1978".
14. "Events of Saturday, September 30, 1978".
15. "Events of Monday, October 2, 1978".
16. "Standings At Close of Play of July 19, 1978".
17. "Standings At Close of Play of September 6, 1978".
18. "The 1978 New York Yankees Regular Season Game Log".
19. "Standings At Close of Play of September 10, 1978".
20. (September 11, 1978). "Yankees Completed 'Boston Massacre'". The Town Talk.
21. "Events of Sunday, October 1, 1978".
22. (October 2, 1978). "New York Yankees 5, Boston Red Sox 4".
23. Cafardo, Nick. (June 7, 1990). "Dent Dumped by Yankees". The Boston Globe.
24. Shaughnessy, Dan. (June 7, 1990). "His Back Was Against the Wall". The Boston Globe.
25. [https://www.baseball-reference.com/o/ojedabo01.shtml Bob Ojeda page at Baseball Reference]
26. (April 7, 1978). "Chicago White Sox 6, Boston Red Sox 5".
27. [https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1978.shtml 1978 Boston Red Sox Batting, Pitching, & Fielding Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com]
28. Johnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, ed., ''The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball'', 3rd edition. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 2007
29. (1978). "Boston Red Sox Press TV Radio Guide".