Red Sox: Predicting the 2018 Opening Day 25-man roster

BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 26: Members of the Boston Red Sox stand for the national anthem before their game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on September 26, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 26: Members of the Boston Red Sox stand for the national anthem before their game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on September 26, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
5 of 6
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 09: Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox throws a pitch in the fifth inning against the Houston Astros during game four of the American League Division Series at Fenway Park on October 9, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 09: Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox throws a pitch in the fifth inning against the Houston Astros during game four of the American League Division Series at Fenway Park on October 9, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Starting Rotation

Chris Sale, David Price, Drew Pomeranz, Rick Porcello, Brian Johnson

The top four in the rotation are locks. Sale, the runner-up in the AL Cy Young race last year, remains among the elite starting pitchers in baseball. He’s the ace of this staff and presumably the starter for Opening Day – even if Cora isn’t ready to confirm it yet.

More from Red Sox News

Pomeranz had a bit of an injury scare this spring but appears back on track. For now, I’ll optimistically project him to make the Opening Day roster.

Price and Porcello both have much to prove in the wake of disappointing seasons but they aren’t in danger of losing their spot in the rotation. Certainly not to start the season. Both are former Cy Young winners being paid a lot of money. The Red Sox aren’t giving up on either no matter how frustrating they can be.

The fifth spot in the rotation is a glaring question mark. Eduardo Rodriguez is the top choice for that role but he’ll likely begin the season on the disabled list. Steven Wright is making progress but also probably won’t be ready.

Johnson may end up winning the spot by default. Roenis Elias and Hector Velazquez loom as depth options but nothing from Johnson’s spring performance suggests he’s fallen behind either of them.

Schedule