The Boston Red Sox have long thrived when they combine dominant aces with deep, dependable starting pitching—a formula that has fueled their postseason success. Pedro Martinez led Boston’s rotation to the 2004 championship, while David Price delivered the decisive win to close out the 2018 World Series. Price, who joined Boston in 2016, initially anchored the staff before moving to the No. 2 role in 2017 when the Red Sox added Chris Sale, a Cy Young candidate, to the mix.
During Boston’s historic 2018 campaign, Sale missed significant time due to injury, and Price carried the rotation with a 3.58 ERA and 16 wins across 176 innings. Price’s leadership was especially critical during a seven-start stretch in which he posted a 2.03 ERA and a 3-0 record, effectively stabilizing the rotation while Sale struggled to stay on the mound. That dependable presence behind the ace remains a blueprint the Red Sox hope to replicate.
Fast forward to 2025: Garrett Crochet has emerged as Boston’s ace, dominating through an All-Star season and securing the team’s lone postseason victory in Game 1 of the wild card series against the Yankees. Supporting him, Lucas Giolito and Brayan Bello delivered solid campaigns, but Boston’s rotation still carries a gap at the true No. 2 spot—exactly the role Price filled in 2018.
“I remember not too far back, we had David Price as our No. 1 until Chris Sale came back and did what he needed to do,” Martinez told Newsweek. “David Price could just be himself. I’m seeing the same thing with Giolito and Crochet. Giolito did a great job backing up Crochet and Bello in the rotation.”
Boston explored a trade for Joe Ryan of the Minnesota Twins at last season’s deadline, and revisiting that conversation this offseason could provide the perfect complement to Crochet. Such a move would reduce the burden on Bello and address uncertainty with Giolito likely hitting free agency. Beyond that, the Red Sox will have several pitchers returning from injury next spring and promising late-season contributions from young lefties Payton Tolle and Connelly Early.
“The future is so bright with the new kids we brought up in September,” Martinez added. “They went out there, pitched with great attitude, and showed poise on the mound.”
With Crochet established as the staff ace and potential reinforcements on the horizon, Boston looks poised to maintain its rotation depth—a proven key ingredient for another postseason run.
