The majority of the Boston Red Sox's offseason moves were in the service of bolstering their pitching staff. The rotation is the most improved aspect of the team since last season, and has the potential to be one of the best in the American League.
In 2025, Boston has a level of starting pitching depth it hasn't had in quite some time. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has emphasized improving the pitching staff since his tenure began in Oct. 2023, and he's done so on the free agent and trade markets.
The additions of Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler (and eventually Patrick Sandoval) bring elite stuff and experience to the rotation. They join Boston's other pitchers — Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello, Kutter Crawford, Lucas Giolito, Garrett Whitlock and more — in what could be the team's best rotation in years. But Red Sox management has some decisions to make before fans know for sure.
Based on last season's work and spring training performances, this is who we think will be in the Sox's starting rotation on Opening Day.
Breaking Down Red Sox Starting Rotation: Who’s a lock and who’s fighting for a spot?
- Garrett Crochet - LHP
- Tanner Houck - RHP
- Walker Buehler - RHP
- Lucas Giolito - RHP
- Brayan Bello - RHP
The above five starters, not necessarily in that order, are the Sox's best choices for their rotation in 2025. Crochet immediately became Boston's ace after it traded for him in December — the longtime reliever posted a 3.58 ERA with a staggering 209 strikeouts in 146 innings. He's by far the most dangerous pitcher in the Red Sox's staff and the clear No. 1 in their rotation.
Buehler and Giolito are the two wild cards in the rotation. Buehler underwent UCL surgery in 2022 and he missed the entire 2023 season recovering. He didn't bounce back to his old self last season and posted a 5.38 ERA over 75.1 innings. Giolito is another bounce-back candidate after he underwent the internal brace procedure to repair his UCL last year. The two rebounding arms will likely be mid-rotation candidates, but great spring trainings could push either up the list.
Houck is fresh off a breakout season and he could land near the top of the rotation with a solid performance at spring training. He clocked a 3.12 ERA over 178.2 innings across 30 starts, a career high for the righty. Bello didn't have the season Houck did, but he improved significantly in the second half of 2024. He posted a 4.49 ERA over 162.1 innings with a 3.47 after the All-Star break. Bello is just 25 years old and could be primed for a breakout this season, but he's been battling a shoulder injury during spring training and hasn't appeared in a game yet. He'll likely end up near the No. 5 spot in the rotation.
If Bello or Giolito can't be ready for Opening Day or other injuries pop up, the Sox have plenty of depth options who could step up for spot starts. Crawford, Whitlock, Quinn Priester, Cooper Criswell, Richard Fitts, Michael Fulmer and Hunter Dobbins could all step up if Boston needs an extra arm.