The Boston Red Sox have had trouble developing starting pitching over the past five seasons. The projects of Josh Winckowski, Chris Murphy, Garrett Whitlock, and arguably Tanner Houck have not panned out as starters. But now, even with the regression of Walker Buehler, the Red Sox may finally have their top-three pitchers in their rotation.
Garrett Crochet
As a newly acquired and freshly extended lefty ace from the Chicago White Sox, Garrett Crochet has been the best pitcher in all of baseball. He leads the league in three categories: Innings pitched (115.1), games started (18), and, most importantly, in strikeouts (144), all while maintaining a 2.34 ERA with an ERA+ of 178. As a current AL Cy Young contender, rivaling reigning Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal and Hunter Brown, he's the saving grace of the Red Sox rotation.
Brayan Bello
Brayan Bello, who was originally a very inconsistent starter for Boston, has seemingly found his groove in 2025. He had an okay start, recording a 3.96 ERA with a 5-5 record with a 4.58 FIP. Over these past four starts, however, he's recorded a 2.25 ERA, 18 strikeouts, and all in 24 innings pitched.
He's improved his command and has brought himself back to what he was in 2023. He's a good #3 starter, and he'll be a key piece in that rotation this season.
Lucas Giolito
Just like Bello, Giolito had an impeccably slow start with the Red Sox. While he's struck out 58 batters in his 12 starts this year (which is third in team total strikeouts), he still had an ERA of 6.42, and only had 27 strikeouts while giving up 24 runs. But over his last five starts, he's rejuvenated into something different. An 0.83 ERA, 31 strikeouts, giving up only 7 runs, and with a FIP of 2.91. Not only has he limited runs given up, but he's also been averaging 6.5 strikeouts per game.
These three men have suddenly turned some heads and could ultimately confirm Breslow's thinking from what everyone had thought unfathomable: that this team could actually be a playoff contender. Is it a bit delusional to think this so soon? Possibly, but it's something to keep an eye on.