The Boston Red Sox have announced their starting pitchers for the opening series of the season. Garrett Crochet will take the mound on Opening Day for his team debut, followed by Tanner Houck in the second game. Walker Buehler is set to start the third game, marking his highly anticipated first appearance with the Red Sox.
These three pitchers were already expected to play a crucial role this season, but with key starters like Lucas Giolito, Kutter Crawford, and Brayan Bello currently dealing with injuries, their performances become even more vital.
Crochet, who will be eligible for free agency in 2027, has a significant opportunity this season to establish himself among the elite pitchers in Major League Baseball. Despite previously playing for a struggling Chicago White Sox team, he has managed to compile a respectable career ERA of 3.29 along with a 1.155 WHIP. However, his 9-19 win-loss record is underwhelming. If Boston performs as well as expected this season, he could see a notable increase in wins.
Houck, now 28 years old, is entering his third full season as a starting pitcher after being converted from a bullpen role. Over the last two seasons, he has made 51 starts. His 2023 campaign had some rough patches, including a serious facial fracture after being hit by a line drive. However, he rebounded impressively in 2024, earning his first All-Star selection. That season, he posted an outstanding 3.12 ERA across 178 2/3 innings and led all pitchers in home runs allowed per nine innings, giving up just 0.6 per nine frames.
Then there’s Buehler, a former Los Angeles Dodger who joined Boston on a one-year contract worth $21.05 million. He enters the 2025 season with plenty to prove. Widely regarded as one of the most talented pitchers in the game, he has multiple top-10 finishes in the Cy Young Award voting. However, injuries have significantly impacted his availability, limiting him to just 69 starts since the 2019 season. If he can regain the durability he displayed in 2019 and 2021, he has the potential to be an invaluable asset for manager Alex Cora and the Red Sox rotation.