The Red Sox starting lineup is decided with less than a week until Opening Day.
With just a few days until the Red Sox open the season against the Seattle Mariners, spring training is coming to an
end. In the last days of camp, roster choices are made, including who will start in the starting rotation.
Alex Cora declared the victors of the competition for the final two rotation spots on Friday. Cooper Criswell was
optioned to minor league camp on Friday; Garrett Whitlock and Tanner Houck are now in. Rather than stashing him
in the bullpen come 2024, the Red Sox would rather keep him healthy as a starter.
Red Sox finalize rotation with addition of Tanner Houck, Garrett Whitlock:
Whitlock’s most recent attempt to nail down a starting position with the Red Sox ended with a solid spring. With a
3.45 ERA and 0.96 WHIP, he pitched 15 2/3 innings, struck out 16 batters, and gave up six earned runs in his five
starts.
This spring, Houck saw use in both starting and relief roles. Houck gave up four earned runs on 10 hits in five games
—two of which he started—while walking three and striking out sixteen. After 15 innings, he had a 2.40 ERA and a
0.87 WHIP.
Criswell, one of the Red Sox’s offseason signings, had an equally impressive spring as he battled for a rotation
position. After throwing 18 1/3 innings, he allowed six earned runs, walked three, and struck out seventeen with a
2.95 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. Criswell might be a swingman, alternating between a long relief job in the bullpen and a
spot start when necessary, but given the Red Sox’s severe rotational shortage, it makes perfect sense to stretch him
out and keep him in the Triple-A rotation.
The Red Sox now have a decided starting rotation, while there are still a few roster decisions to be made. From
Brayan Bello on Opening Day to Nick Pivetta, Kutter Crawford, Whitlock, and Houck, that is the order of events.
Real baseball is almost here, and even if the Red Sox had a quiet offseason, the start of a new season is always an
exciting moment in the sport. Fans have to concede that, considering how dire the rotation appeared a few months
ago, this isn’t the worst outcome possible given what many had anticipated.
