Red Sox Discussing Opener Should Scare Fans About Limited Rotation Depth

So much attention has been directed at the lineup of the Boston Red Sox after the Mookie Betts trade, but it must be noted that their starting rotation is currently leaking coolant at an alarming rate and running on fumes.

Losing Rick Porcello to free agency and David Price as part of the Betts deal has left the Red Sox so bereft of pitching options that Chaim Bloom and Ron Roenicke appear resigned to using an opener every fifth game this season.

One interesting thing to come out of this morning: Chaim Bloom is basically going to give Ron Roenicke and the coaching staff a primer on the opener tomorrow. I wonder if it will be a power point presentation?
— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) February 29, 2020

Currently, ace Chris Sale is not on track to pitch on Opening Day due to pneumonia. Eduardo Rodriguez has proven to be a solid starter in the past, but he's hardly ace material. Martin Perez and his 5.12 ERA do not inspire a ton of confidence. Neither does Nathan Eovaldi, a starter/reliever hybrid who put up a problematic 5.99 ERA last season.

Boston will have questions about their rotation even if everyone is healthy. Even though the likes of Chris Mazza have impressed in Spring Training, Red Sox fans have quite a long way to go before they can feel confident about their rotation.

Chris Sale won't pitch Opening Day, says Roenicke. Likely to start season on the IL. To be clear, he is not injured. He is ramping back up after being sidelined with flu and pneumonia at the start of camp. Roenicke didn't say who will start OD but it has to be Eduardo Rodriguez.
— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) February 27, 2020

Losing Porcello didn't look like a crippling loss when he originally left for the New York Mets, but the Red Sox would do just about anything for someone with his experience in the rotation. Throwing Price into the Betts deal has effectively crippled their rotation. All told, expect a lot of high-scoring contests at Fenway this season.