John Tomase explains how the 2020 season will be a success if we end up hating Red Sox less.
The Boston Red Sox have announced their Opening Day roster for the 2020 MLB season, and it's light on quality starting pitching, to say the least.
Nathan Eovaldi will take the mound as Boston's starter when it opens the new season against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday at Fenway Park. Eduardo Rodriguez would normally be the starter for Game 1 of the season, but he's recovering from a bout with COVID-19. Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke on Thursday announced Rodriguez is being shut down for a week.
Rodriguez isn't the only absence from the starting rotation. Chris Sale underwent Tommy John surgery in March and won't pitch this season. Veteran starter Collin McHugh, who the Red Sox signed in the offseason, recently opted out of the 2020 campaign. Recent acquisition Dylan Covey, who could feature as a starter, made the Opening Day roster.
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The Red Sox, even when Rodriguez returns, likely will need an elite offense to score enough runs to offset the weaknesses of the rotation. Luckily for the Red Sox, they still have a lineup with plenty of talent despite trading former American League MVP winner Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers in February.
Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers and J.D. Martinez are three of the top hitters at their respective positions, and Alex Verdugo -- acquired in the Betts trade -- also has the potential to be a reliable bat. Michael Chavis has shown plenty of promise at the plate in his brief Major League career as well.
Here's the official Red Sox roster for Opening Day.
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PITCHERS (15): Matt Barnes, Ryan Brasier, Colten Brewer, Austin Brice, Dylan Covey, Nathan Eovaldi, Matt Hall, Heath Hembree, Josh Osich, Martín Pérez, Jeffrey Springs, Phillips Valdez, Marcus Walden, Ryan Weber, Brandon Workman
CATCHERS (3): Jonathan Lucroy, Kevin Plawecki, Christian Vázquez
INFIELDERS (7): Jonathan Araúz, Xander Bogaerts, Michael Chavis, Rafael Devers, Tzu-Wei Lin, Mitch Moreland, José Peraza
OUTFIELDERS (5): Andrew Benintendi, Jackie Bradley Jr., J.D. Martinez, Kevin Pillar, Alex Verdugo
INJURED LIST (5)
PITCHERS (4): Darwinzon Hernandez, Eduardo Rodriguez, Chris Sale, Josh Taylor
INFIELDERS (1): Dustin Pedroia