SOX SPOTLIGHT: The Rest of the Rotation

I really shouldn't be referring to the rest of the pitching staff as the "other" guys. I mean, they're pitchers just like Sale, Price, and Porcello right? Well... no. After Porcello, question marks arise in the Red Sox rotation. There are three guys gunning for two spots; Wright, Pomeranz, and Rodriguez. Here's a quick overview of the bottom of the Red Sox 2017 rotation.

Stephen Wright had a fantastic season last year for the Red Sox before it was ended thanks to a base running injury (thanks, Farrell). I'd like to think that Wright can continue his success, but with the knuckleball, you really never know. Wright has the 4 spot in the rotation close to locked down if he's healthy, but we'll have to see if he can keep it.

Up next is Drew Pomeranz, who also had a career year in 2017, although most of it wasn't in Boston. (It's somewhat nice to know that 3 Red Sox starting pitchers are coming off career years). Pomeranz looked good in the bullpen in the short playoff series (sigh), and I wouldn't be all that opposed to giving him a look in the pen at some point in 2017 if he can't get it done as a starter. I wouldn't be surprised to see him start the year in the rotation, but with any struggles, he could solidify a decent bullpen in the dog days of summer.

The last piece to this bottom of the rotation puzzle is Eddie Rodriguez. E-Rod burst on to the scene in 2015, flashing some serious potential, but fell flat in his second season in Boston. To be fair, he did miss a good chunk of time with injury and never really looked like the guy we saw in 2015. He has had problems tipping pitches, and if he cannot fix that, we're in for a long season watching him. If it was up to me, he'd start the season as the number five starter, but I have a bad feeling he'll be starting on opening day in Pawtucket (thanks Pomeranz). E-Rod can be a real solid #4 or #5 pitcher for the Sox, and I think this is the year he could take a step forward. The Sox don't need him to be great: they just need him to be solid.

Wright 2016: 24 Starts, 13-6, 3.33era/1.24whip, 156.2ip/127ks (7.3 K/9)

Wright Career: 50 starts, 20-11, 3.58era/1.27whip, 263.2IP (7.2 K/9)

Trend: UP

2017 Prediction: 25 starts, 11-10, 3.98era/1.32whip, 170IP, 7.1 K/9

Role: 4th starter (for now)

Pomeranz 2016: 31 starts, 11-12, 3.32era/1.18whip, 170.2IP, 9.8K/9

Pomeranz Career: 138 games (79 starts), 3.80era/1.28whip, avg 145IP/year, 8.7K/9

Trending: UP

2017 Prediction: 24 starts, 7-9, 4.05era/1.30whip, 169IP, 9.0K/9

Role: 5th starter/Bullpen

E-Rod 2016: 20 starts, 3-7, 4.71era/1.30whip, 107IP, 8.4K/9

E-Rod Career: 41 starts, 13-13, 4.25era/1.29whip, 228.2IP, 198K's

Trending: DOWN (still young)

2017 Prediction:

Role: 5th starter/Bullpen/AAA