Good news:The Red Sox’s starting rotation, now among the best in MLB, didn’t achieve its success without….
The Red Sox’s starting rotation, now among the best in MLB, didn’t achieve its success without challenges. Entering the 2024 season, Boston faced uncertainty in its pitching lineup after trading Chris Sale and losing newly signed Lucas Giolito to a UCL injury during Spring Training.
Nearly two months into the season, the Red Sox’s starters have excelled, achieving a 2.98 ERA, striking out 8.44 batters per nine innings, and allowing just 0.98 home runs per nine innings. This success has been a team effort, with significant contributions from all starters, but Tanner Houck and Kutter Crawford have particularly stood out.
Houck and Crawford, two right-handers in their late 20s who struggled as starters before 2024, are delivering Cy Young-caliber performances, marking one of the most unexpected pitching breakthroughs early in the season.
