The unveiling of the 2024 starting rotation for the Boston Red Sox has fans giving their opinion. Politely speaking, ‘lukewarm’ is what fans are calling it. Gone are the days of dominant arms. Their upcoming season rotation features a blend of young, unproven talent coupled with veterans that fans look at skeptically. A summary of the fans’ emotions is, “I really like all these guys, but they don’t make a major league rotation.”
The lineup includes Brayan Bello, Nick Pivetta, Kutter Crawford, Garrett Whitlock, and Tanner Houck. This, however, has left many fans feeling underwhelmed. On one hand, each pitcher possesses undeniable potential. On the other hand, the lack of a proven ace has Red Sox Nation grumbling about what 2024 could potentially look like.
The Red Sox’s starting rotation reveal: A valuable decision for 2024
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Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock, who were vying for rotation spots in Spring Training with Cooper Criswell and Josh Winckowski, were named starters to start the season, manager Alex Cora informed reporters on Friday. Houck completes the rotation at No. 5, while Whitlock will start for Boston as the No. 4 starter. As reported by Boston.com, Cora’s words about Houck and Whitlock’s spring training performances were, “Both of them made huge adjustments.”
The Red Sox rotation is set;
1. Bello
2. Pivetta
3. Crawford
4. Whitlock
5. Houck— Boston Strong (@BostonStrong_34) March 22, 2024
The team announced this week that Brayan Bello would start Opening Day on Thursday, March 28 in Seattle against the Seattle Mariners. With that, Boston’s first three starting pitchers were essentially revealed. Since the offseason, veteran pitcher Nick Pivetta, whom Cora assigned as the Red Sox’s No. 2 starter, has had a spot in the rotation. Even last week, Cora shared that he was debating between Bello and Pivetta for the position of starting pitcher for the team.
Kutter Crawford, who is the third starter for Boston, had great spring training and earned a spot in the mid-rotation. There’s no denying the capability of this rotation. However, the fans perhaps expected better. And they made some unhinged comments on social media about this decision.
In an attempt to give hope, the Boston Red Sox’s rotation reveal takes it away.
While the Red Sox as a team is a passionate bunch, the Red Sox faithful take that passion a notch higher. Whether it’s embracing young talent or veterans, the fans want nothing but a winning team.
Read More: Horror Outing vs. Red Sox Surprisingly Boosts Will Warren’s Chances in the Yankees Rotation Race
One fan described the rotation as “tremendously meager.”
Tremendously meager. I really like all these guys but they don't make a major league rotation. I hope I'm wrong but I did that last year too.
Again, why fire Chaim if they were going to make Breslow tow the same line?— Bill Buess (@buess823) March 23, 2024
Another questioned their choice of having only RHPs
5 RHP ! Do you know a LHP available ?
— Mario L. (@mariolan69) March 22, 2024
One among others did not find any difference between last year’s and this year’s rotation.
Same as last year basically 🤣🤣
— Kirks Water Bottle (@Kirks_water) March 22, 2024
Going the other way, some fans appreciated this selection.
Whitlock and Houck gonna have good seasons.
This is a good rotation.
— El Gran Dictador (@ElGranDictador6) March 22, 2024
Fans also brought in the perspective of “..0 proven innings eaters”
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I’ll be surprised if the bullpen isn’t in shambles by July. There are 0 proven innings eaters
— David Lindsay (@DavidLindsayNY) March 22, 2024
It’s possible that the team wishes to gamble on this rotation – one that could propel the Red Sox back into contention or leave them scrambling for success once again.
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Only time can answer the question – Do these pitchers have the grit to silence the doubters?