MLB Opening Day is just over a week away, and all 30 teams across the league, including the Boston Red Sox, are preparing for the long campaign. The Red Sox *on paper* might have one of the better starting rotations in baseball, if the arms can put it all together for a full season. With Garrett Crochet being the bulldog and ace of the staff, he will take the ball in the Red Sox first game of the season.
But who will pitch after Crochet? Boston has several options that could take the ball after Garrett Crochet, but manager Alex Cora cleared the air on who will get the start after Crochet against the Cincinnati Reds.
More MLB on Heavy: Braves Predicted to Sign $61 Million Pitcher to âSave Rotationâ
Sonny Gray Will Start Game 2 of Red Sox Season
GettyManager Alex Cora of the Boston Red Sox argues with an umpire.
According to Alex Cora, Sonny Gray, whom Boston traded for early in the offseason, will take the mound and start the second game of the season.
This is why Boston went out and traded for Sonny Gray from the Cardinals. With Ranger Suarez, Boston’s flashy offseason signing, returning from the World Baseball Classic, he will likely pitch game three, but the Red Sox have depth arms like Brayan Bello and Johan Oviedo who might also be able to take the ball.
Sonny Gray, despite his age of 36, has been an effective starter for the majority of his career. Last season with the Cardinals wasn’t his best (4.28 ERA over 180 innings pitched), but Gray has developed into a highly durable/consistent arm that can make around 30 starts per season.
This move is also about balancing between the right-handed options and southpaws in the Red Sox’ rotation. Pitching Suarez after Crochet might be an advantage to the opposing lineup.
However, if Boston makes the playoffs, this rotation outlook is subject to change, but Gray has appeared healthy and prepared for the MLB regular season, so he’s rewarded with getting the ball in the second game of the season.
More MLB on Heavy: Is Yankees Starter Cam Schlittler Afraid of Spiders?
Other Red Sox Notes
Both Ranger Suarez and Roman Anthony are still participating in the World Baseball Classic, so they have not been able to return to spring training.
Amid other things, Boston is starting the process of trimming down its roster before Opening Day, as several players each day continue to be assigned to minor league camp.
As mentioned, the Red Sox really might have one of the more complete rotations in all of baseball, and that’s also a credit to the team’s depth beyond the first three arms.
More MLB on Heavy: Dodgers Trade Idea Offloads Struggling Pitcher for Triston Casas
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Red Sox Manager Alex Cora Makes Another Starting Rotation Announcement appeared first on Heavy Sports.