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Ex-MLB GM explains why Red Sox rotation is one he loves
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- Ex-MLB GM explains why Red Sox rotation is one he loves
There has been a lot of hype around the Red Sox rotation this offseason. Boston bolstered it with additions like Sonny Gray and Ranger Suárez on top of already having Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello .
What Boston is toting out in 2026 was enough for The Athletic's Jim Bowden to place the Red Sox at No. 4 in his rotation rankings.
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"The Red Sox did an excellent job in the offseason restructuring three-fifths of their rotation when they traded for right-handers Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo and signed Ranger Suárez in free agency," the former MLB general manager wrote . "I love the fact that their rotation starts with the power arm of Garrett Crochet, a legitimate Cy Young Award candidate, and then is followed by the dominant curveball of Gray and the elusive changeup of Suárez. The left-right-left combination with pitchers featuring different secondary offerings provides varying looks, breaks and angles for opposing batters to face each night in a short series."
Crochet will start Thursday's season-opener against the Reds, Gray will go Saturday and Connelly Early will pitch the third game of the season. Bello and Suárez will pitch in the second series.
Bowden said Early and Bello both have "significant upside" that they will bring to the back end of the rotation.
Early earned a spot on the Opening Day roster after an impressive spring. Bello added a curveball to his arsenal and was working with Suárez in Fort Myers on grips.
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The Red Sox also have Payton Tolle , who will begin the season with the Worcester Red Sox, and Johan Oviedo ready to contribute when called upon.
Oviedo will begin the year out of the bullpen, but could be an option as a starter in 2026.
"All told, the Red Sox have strong seven-man rotation to work with," Bowden wrote . "I love variation and depth a lot."
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