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Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora
Pitching is the name of the game in baseball, even in MLB. You can score all the runs you want, but if you don’t have the pitching and fielding, then you’re going to be in trouble. Nobody knows that better in the last couple of seasons than the Boston Red Sox.
In an offseason that saw changes with the roster by Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow, who focused on pitching, it’s safe to say that the Red Sox are loading up for 2026. Whether it was through trades or free agency, Breslow got manager Alex Cora some big arms for this season and beyond.
One of the first moves by Breslow was acquiring right-handed starter Sonny Gray from the St. Louis Cardinals. A veteran, Gray is already in camp for Boston as pitchers and catchers have begun their work for the upcoming season. Gray met with the media on Thursday, and he had some eye-opening thoughts on this season’s rotation.
Boston Red Sox Pitcher Sonny Gray Likes 2026 Rotation
Gray has been around the block during his career. He has played 13 seasons with five different teams. A three-time All-Star, Gray has pitched for the Oakland A’s, New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, Minnesota Twins, and Cardinals. He has been part of some good staffs, but nothing like the one he could be a part of in Boston.
“On paper, it’s as good as any I have been a part of,” said Gray.
That’s a bold statement before a pitch has been thrown in the 2026 season. However, he might be right. Garrett Crochet returns as the ace. Ranger Suárez was signed in free agency, Brayan Bello is back, and Johan Oviedo was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates. If needed, prospects Connelly Early and Payton Tolle are also in the mix. As for Crochet, Gray loves the competitor he is.
“He checks every box as far as this is a guy who would lead your staff,” Gray said. “He reminds me of the guys I’ve been with — whether it’s position player, pitcher, or whatever — the guys who have been and turned into superstars in the league. Carries himself with confidence, smiles, has a good time, ultra competitor. And as far as physical tools, I mean, he’s off the charts.”
Boston Red Sox Pitching Needs To Remain Healthy in 2026
If Boston is going to make waves in the American League East, it is going to need their pitching to remain healthy. The division is loaded. The Toronto Blue Jays added Dylan Cease from the San Diego Padres in free agency. The Yankees will get healthy with Gerrit Cole expected back at some point.
Let’s not overlook the Detroit Tigers‘ rotation. They have Tarik Skubal, Framber Valdez, and Justin Verlander, the latter two free agent additions. Pitching, pitching, pitching.
Offensively, the Red Sox are an unknown. Alex Bregan signed with the Chicago Cubs, and they didn’t replace him with another big bat. They did acquire Gray’s teammate in St. Louis, Willson Contreras, to play first base and add some thump in the lineup.
However, it’s going to come down to pitching, and Gray thinks Boston has it in 2026.
Scott Roche Scott Roche covers college football, NFL, NBA and MLB for Heavy.com and has three decades of sports writing, covering everything from college to professional sports. More about Scott Roche
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