Fastball

Boston Red Sox' Starting Rotation Doing Something it's Never Done in Early Going

Heading into the season, the starting rotation was the biggest question for the Boston Red Sox. However, through three games, Boston's rotation has been historically good.

Brady Farkas

Mar 30, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Kutter Crawford (50) reacts
Mar 30, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Kutter Crawford (50) reacts / Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

Heading into the 2024 season, the starting rotation was the biggest question for the Boston Red Sox. After trading away Chris Sale and losing Lucas Giolito to injury, the team had a lot of uncertainty, but through the first three games of the season, the Sox rotation has been an overwhelming success.

Despite the 1-2 record entering play on Sunday, the Red Sox' rotation has been historically good.

Per @SoxNotes on social media:

This is the first time in franchise history Red Sox starters have allowed 2 runs or fewer and issued 1 walk or fewer in each of the team’s first 3 games of a season.

5.0 IP, 2 R, 0 BB
6.0 IP, 1 R, 0 BB
6.0 IP, 1 R (0 ER), 1 BB

Brayan Bello got the win in the first game of the season against the Seattle Mariners, with Nick Pivetta getting the tough-luck loss in Game 2. Kutter Crawford started Game 3 but took a no-decision when the Sox lost in extra-innings, 4-3.

The hope is that the Red Sox can carry this momentum through the rest of the season and it seems fair to assume it's possible that the group is better than expected. Under the new direction of Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow and pitching coach Andrew Bailey, the team has been working on improving its pitching infrastructure. Thusfar, it's been a success.

The Sox will continue their first turn through the rotation on Sunday afternoon when Garrett Whitlock takes the mound in Seattle.

First pitch is 4:10 p.m. ET.

Follow Fastball on FanNation on social media

Continue to follow our Fastball on FanNation coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.

Published
Brady Farkas

BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady.