Red Sox announce Garrett Crochet as their Opening Day starter; Houck and Buehler to follow

(GETTY IMAGES)

It should be no surprise that the Red Sox named left-hander Garrett Crochet as their Opening Day starter. The southpaw was acquired back in December for this very moment and to lead the rotation.

“The stuff is big. There’s a reason we got him here,” Alex Cora said on Saturday at JetBlue Park. “We envision him as a true No. 1. To be determined, right?

“But where we are at as an organization and what he represents, it will be good for him to make the first pitch of the season.”

Roman Anthony heckled and called ‘overrated’; belts homer, Mayer and Campbell go deep in loss

Cora also announced that Tanner Houck will start Game 2 and Walker Buehler will start the third game. Houck was given consideration to get the ball for the first game at Globe Life Park in Texas.

“That’s going to be one through three going into the season,” Cora said here at JetBlue Park. “And then we’ll decide the rest.”

Crochet was 6-12 with a 3.58 ERA for the White Sox last season. He struck out 209 hitters over 146 innings. This spring, he’s pitched in three Grapefruit League games where he’s tossed 6 1/3 frames.

With the first three spots occupied in the rotation, Richard Fitts and Quinn Priester are the leading candidates to win the last two spots with Brayan Bello, Lucas Giolito, and Kutter Crawford starting the year on the injured list. Others in the mix are Michael Fulmer, Sean Newcomb, and Cooper Criswell.

Red Sox slugger Rafael Devers ready to 'help the team win'

“They’re all throwing the ball well,” Cora said. “They’re capable of doing that. We’ll make a decision, probably in the upcoming days.”

The way the Sox have their rotation lined up to begin the season, it looks like Buehler will get the nod for the Sox for their home opener on April 4 against the Cardinals.

Sean Newcomb is an interesting candidate

When the Sox signed Newcomb to a minor league deal, it was with the idea he would be left-handed pitching depth down in Worcester. With just under two weeks before the start of the season, Newcomb is a candidate to win a job in the rotation.

The Brockton, Mass., native has been turning some heads, recording a 1.35 ERA in 6 2/3 innings with five strikeouts.

“It was cool. It’s been a long time coming,” Newcomb said to reporters about being with the Red Sox back on Feb. 26. “Something I’ve dreamt about.”