The Red Sox are a week away from Opening Day, and the team is in the final stages of preparing its roster. That includes setting the starting rotation, which manager Alex Cora did on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters, Cora laid out the five-man rotation the Red Sox will use for at least the first week of the season. Along with that announcement, it was also revealed three pitchers will start the year on the IL. Here are the arms the Red Sox will be going with to start the season…
Corey Kluber
Feb 28, 2023; Jupiter, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Corey Kluber (28) pitches in the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium. Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports
Cora had previously announced Kluber as the Opening Day starter for the Red Sox’s matchup against the Orioles at Fenway Park on March 30. Kluber, 36, signed with the Red Sox this offseason on a one-year, $10 million deal with a club option for 2024. A two-time Cy Young winner in 2014 and 2017, Kluber started 31 games for the Rays last year going 10-10 with a 4.34 ERA. Kluber has thrown 12.2 innings spring, recording a 2.13 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with 14 strikeouts.
Chris Sale
Mar 21, 2023; Sarasota, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (41) throws a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles in the first inning during spring training at Ed Smith Stadium. Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Along with Kluber being announced as the Opening Day starter, it was revealed Sale would get the second spot in the rotation to start the season. The Red Sox are looking for a bounce-back season from Sale, who has thrown just 48.1 total innings since 2021 due to a myriad of injuries. In three starts this spring he’s thrown 10 innings, allowing six earned runs.
Tanner Houck
Mar 7, 2023; North Port, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Tanner Houck (89) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at CoolToday Park. Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
It will be interesting to see how Houck responds after a rough go of it this spring. In 17.1 innings over five starts he has an 8.31 ERA and 1.85 WHIP, allowing six home runs on 22 hits. If he’s shaky early, his spot could be one of the first to open given his experience pitching out of the bullpen.
Kutter Crawford
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 27: Kutter Crawford #50 of the Boston Red Sox delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on February 27, 2023 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Crawford is the surprise of this group, winning the job with a strong spring and some injuries elsewhere. 12 of his 21 appearances were starts last year, when he posted a 5.47 ERA as a rookie. In three starts and four appearances this spring he has a 2.03 ERA with 14 strikeouts to just 10 hits allowed.
Nick Pivetta
Mar 19, 2023; Clearwater, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Nick Pivetta (37) throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies in the first inning at BayCare Ballpark. Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Pivetta was the workhorse for the Red Sox last year, and he’s in line to fill that role again in 2023. Tied for the league-lead with 33 starts, he went 10-12 with a 4.56 ERA in 2022. After missing the early part of Spring Training recovering from an illness, he threw 11.2 innings recording a 7.71 ERA and 1.97 WHIP.
Other arms
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 01: Starting pitcher Garrett Whitlock #72 of the Boston Red Sox throws against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning at Fenway Park on June 01, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
These aren’t the only five pitchers who will start games for the Red Sox this year. Garrett Whitlock, Brayan Bello, and James Paxton will all start the year on the IL. Whitlock (hip) and Bello (forearm) are projected to be ready for game action at some point in April, while Paxton (hamstring) might not take the mound until May, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.
Josh Winckowski could likely factor into the rotation as some point as well. Heading into the close of Spring Training, it was believed Winckowski and Crawford were competing for the final spot in the rotation.