If there's a single area in which the Red Sox are clearly better than a year ago, it's their starting rotation. Eduardo Rodriguez is back, Chris Sale will return later this year, Garrett Richards has been added and Nathan Eovaldi and Martin Perez are back again.
But beyond that, there's the matter of improved depth. The Sox will have far better options when they need to supplement their first five, including Tanner Houck at Worcester and Matt Andriese in the bullpen.
"It's better than in '19, to be honest with you,'' said Alex Cora of improved depth. "We've got some capable guys who aren't going to be with us at the big league level (at the start), but throughout the season, they might get involved. I think we have quality arms. They're not coming in for a spot start, but to compete. We're not adding a sixth starter or a spot starter just to give us innings. We're trying to win that day; it's not about surviving.
"I do feel in '19, we tried to survive. I still remember some of those bullpen games. We tried to put nine innings together and it was hard to do and I don't think we're in that situation now. We're very comfortable with our five guys and the rest of them and we're going to be in a good position throughout the season.''
Andriese will be especially valuable, and Cora is trying to learn what makes him tick and how to best use him.
"Those conversations are (ongoing), especially with him, which is the most important thing,'' said Cora. "Last year (in San Diego), he was in a situation where going into the season, he was going to start, then he didn't start and they used him in different roles. I saw him pitch in the fourth, pitch in the seventh, pitch in the ninth. It's more about when we get him going, how far we're going to let him go.
"It's just that balance. Do we go with him four, or use him for one. Are we better off (when we bring him in) the seventh, to finish the game? Those things are going to come up throughout the season. But I think the most important thing is having communication with the player, how he feels about it, how he's able to bounce back, when his best stuff plays -- pitching every other day, pitching every three days or pitching for four (inning) and not pitching for five. I'm learning the player, learning about the pitcher. I do feel he's going to be a weapon for us. He's going to be very important. We just have to make sure we use him in the right spots.''
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