4/3/26 Full Show - Sun shines on the Sox in home opener | Sturm slams B's for "not respecting" Panthers

The WEEI Afternoons team celebrates a 5-2 Red Sox victory in their home opener at sunny Fenway Park, marking a much-needed reset after a rough road stretch. Hosts Andy Hart and Nick Fitzy Stevens highlight standout performances from Wilson Contreras, who hit a game-changing home run and delivered bold postgame comments praising St. Louis as having the best fans in baseball, and Marcelo Meyer, whose power and composure signal he may be a key contributor. The win lifted spirits across Red Sox Nation, with special emphasis on the emotional significance of the day for young players like Caleb Durbin and the return of the 1986 championship team. The hosts also reflect on the team’s high strikeout rate, with manager Alex Cora acknowledging the challenge but expressing skepticism about drastically reducing it. Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics are praised as a rising powerhouse, with Jason Tatum’s return and Jalen Brown’s dominant scoring making them a top contender in the East. The team’s depth, balanced offense, and unselfish play are lauded as reasons for their unexpected success. The segment concludes with a critical take on the Bruins’ 2-1 loss to the Panthers, attributed to overconfidence and lack of respect for the defending champions, with former player Marco Sturm calling out the team for not taking the game seriously. The episode closes with a lighthearted moment about co-host Stiz’s wisdom tooth extraction and a preview of a packed sports weekend ahead.