Boston Red Sox: Ron Roenicke is considering the opener method

With a weak and depleted rotation, the Boston Red Sox need to conjure up whatever resources they have to prevent runs from being scored on them.

Shortened Major League Baseball season or not, the starting rotation for the Boston Red Sox was pretty much doomed from the start.

With Chris Sale missing 2020 due to Tommy John surgery, the rotation as it currently stands will consist of Eduardo Rodriguez, Nathan Eovaldi, Martin Perez, Brian Johnson, and… definitely someone else, for sure.

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Matters have been made worse due to the fact that Rodriguez will miss opening day due to COVID-19. Even with Rodriguez in the fold, it’s not the most exciting list of names as a whole.

In fact, this rotation is so uninspiring that manager Ron Roenicke is considering using an opener in the fifth rotation spot.

For those unfamiliar with the idea, the opener method is a strategy that adjusts the order in which pitchers are sent out onto the field. A relief pitcher will start the game, and then the actual starting pitcher comes in after an inning or two.

This approach is generally utilized by teams with weaker rotations, as it prevents a mediocre starter (and the Red Sox have more than one of those) from having to see the heart of the opposing lineup too many times.

If this technique is actually going to be implemented, it will likely involve either Ryan Weber or Collin McHugh somehow. They both have experience in starting and coming out of the pen. As a part of the opener set up, one of them could come in and pitch most of the game after a relief pitcher opens.

Of course, it needs to be taken into consideration that the Red Sox are not exactly thriving in terms of relief pitching either. If there is not a compelling candidate to open games, then this strategy will fall on its face rather quickly. The team will need its best bullpen arms, such as Brandon Workman, towards the end of the game.

The opener idea has been successful for teams such as the Tampa Bay Rays who were the first team to consistently use it in the majors. That being said, it’s an unfortunate testament to the issues in the Red Sox rotation right now that they are considering going in that direction. If Roenicke deems it the best way to help the team be successful, we have no choice but to trust his judgment for now.

In any case, it feels like the Boston Red Sox are going to need to put up a lot of runs if they are to see success in this shortened MLB season. If the pitching staff is even average, that would be an absolute surprise.