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Red Sox Opening Day: Predicting Boston’s 2021 starting rotation

By Brendan Mizgala

FT. MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 20: Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox high fives Nathan Eovaldi #17 and Darwinzon Hernandez #63 during a team workout on February 20, 2020 at jetBlue Park at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
FT. MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 20: Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox high fives Nathan Eovaldi #17 and Darwinzon Hernandez #63 during a team workout on February 20, 2020 at jetBlue Park at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /
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Red Sox starter Martin Perez
FT. MYERS, FL – MARCH 2: Martin Perez #54 of the Boston Red Sox delivers during the first inning of a Grapefruit League game against the Tampa Bay Rays on March 2, 2021 at jetBlue Park at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /

Red Sox LHP: Martin Perez

Here we go baby, it’s Perez Day! That’s right my friends, NOW, it’s time to talk about the man that should’ve been the 2020 Cy Young winner, Martin Perez. Alright, that’s about as wild as I’m going to get but I will be giving some praise to the energetic lefty here. Things got a bit dicey there for a minute when he was more than clear that he wanted to return to the Red Sox and play out the rest of his days in Boston and the phone wasn’t ringing.

Then, it happened. The news broke that the two sides had come to terms on a deal that will see him with the Sox for 2021 with a team option for 2022. If he can do something similar to what he did in 2020, then I can see that option getting picked up. Then again, I thought that very thing heading into 2021 just for Perez and Boston to work out a deal that was more team friendly. The southpaw has been a massive boost to the morale at Fenway Park and was a non-stop bright spot last season.

Even if he didn’t have his best stuff in 2020 he would make sure to go late enough into the game to help out the bullpen. When things didn’t go his way he would take full responsibility and when he was on top of his game he’d still give credit to those around him. The ultimate team player. As the fourth man in the rotation, he’ll have the responsibility to keep the hot streak cooking and put a stop to the bleeding of a losing skid.

Perez Day was one of the few things to look forward to last season and I’m thrilled that he’s back with this team. He may not be an ace or a guy that can throw 100 mph, but he makes up for that with his positivity and energy in the clubhouse. A big fan favorite will once again get his chance to help this team get back to October in 2021 and having him in the four-hole is the perfect spot for him.

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