The Boston Red Sox are gearing up for an exciting season, but there's a twist in the tale for their starting rotation. Will the fifth starter role be a surprise?
The top four starters are seemingly set in stone: Garrett Crochet, Ranger Suarez, Sonny Gray, and Brayan Bello. But the battle for the fifth spot has been a captivating one during spring training. It's a three-way contest between Johan Oviedo, Payton Tolle, and Connelly Early, with Kutter Crawford and Patrick Sandoval also in the mix, albeit likely starting the season on the injured list.
Here's where it gets intriguing: Oviedo has been the talk of the town, with many insiders and fans alike predicting he'll secure the coveted fifth starter role. His recent impressive start seemed to cement his place. But wait, there's a plot twist! Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter threw a curveball with his latest MLB rotation predictions, placing Connelly Early as the Red Sox's No. 5 starter, not Oviedo.
Reuter acknowledges Oviedo's experience but highlights Early's potential, stating, "...Early pitched well enough last September to earn a postseason start." And let's not forget, the Red Sox might strategically send Early and Tolle to the minors for service time reasons, as they did in 2025, unless injuries dictate otherwise.
Adding to the intrigue, Jen McCaffrey from The Athletic predicted just a day earlier that Oviedo would indeed be the one to start the season in the fifth spot. So, who will it be? Oviedo, as most expect, or Early, as Reuter suggests? And what about Tolle?
This is the part that keeps fans on the edge of their seats! Who do you think should be the Red Sox's fifth starter? Is Reuter onto something, or will Oviedo's experience prevail? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
