Red Sox
Manager Alex Cora announced Boston’s starting pitching order ahead of Opening Day next week.
With less than one week until the Red Sox begin regular season play, the team’s starting pitching rotation has been finalized.
Manager Alex Cora told reporters Friday that both Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock, who had been competing alongside Cooper Criswell and Josh Winckowski for rotation spots in spring training, have been named starters to begin the season.
Whitlock will be Boston’s No. 4 starter and Houck rounds out the rotation in the No. 5 spot.
Both Houck and Whitlock have displayed improved control of their pitches throughout spring training to earn their starting roles.
Houck has made five appearances (two being starts) over 15 innings this spring and owns a 2.40 ERA. The 28-year-old has struck out 16 batters and allowed only three walks and two home runs, earning him a 0.86 WHIP.
Whitlock has tossed 15 2/3 innings over five starts and similarly K’d 16 hitters. The 27-year-old has let two batters walk while allowing two home runs. Whitlock’s work has earned him a 0.95 WHIP thus far.
“Both of them made huge adjustments,” Cora said of Houck and Whitlock’s spring training performances.
As for Criswell, he will be optioned to Triple-A Worcester, Cora also announced Friday. The Red Sox want him as a rotation depth option, per Cora, which is why the team did not move him to the bullpen to begin the season.
Winckowski was named a relief pitcher for Boston on March 17. A decision on whether or not he will make the Opening Day roster or be optioned to Triple-A has yet to be made.
Boston’s first three starting pitchers were essentially solidified this week when the team announced Brayan Bello would start Opening Day on Thursday, March 28 in Seattle against the Mariners.
Veteran pitcher Nick Pivetta has been a lock to make the rotation all offseason, who Cora named the Red Sox’s No. 2 starter. Cora even told reporters last week that he was deciding between Bello and Pivetta to be the Red Sox’s ace.
Boston’s No. 3 starter to begin 2024, Kutter Crawford, has had a strong spring training on the bump, earning himself a mid-rotation role. The 27-year-old has pitched 13 2/3 innings over four spring starts and owns a 1.98 ERA. He has yet to allow a single walk or home run while accumulating 13 strikeouts.
Here’s what the club’s rotation order looks like to start the year:
Brayan Bello
Nick Pivetta
Kutter Crawford
Garrett Whitlock
Tanner Houck
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