Porcello gets Game 1
It’s been Cy winner all along
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — You win the Cy Young award, you start on Opening Day.
There’s really no reason to make it more complicated than that, and Red Sox manager John Farrell seems to agree.
Rick Porcello, the 2016 American League Cy Young winner, gets the ball for the Red Sox at 2:05 p.m. at Fenway Park on April 3 to open the season against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Chris Sale, who might well prove the best pitcher the Sox have once the season gets underway, is to start in Game No. 2 on April 5. There’s an off day between the first two games.
“We had three candidates that were certainly worthy and capable, but I think there’s a lot to be said for the year Rick had, the leader he’s become on our team, and the dependable pitcher that he is,” Farrell said.
“There were some brief discussions with some other guys in the offseason, but as I mentioned to both David Price and others, we need to get deeper into camp, this conversation will happen at the appropriate time.
“We felt like if everything played out with no issues, Rick would be the guy.”
Farrell said he told Porcello on the first day of spring training that this was the plan.
Price likely would have been in line to start Game 3, were he not headed for the disabled list to begin the year because of his elbow injury. The rest of the rotation will be set later in camp.
Price and Sale both have said Porcello should be the guy to get the ball for Opening Day.
“You earn the Cy Young Award or are voted the top pitcher in the league, I think that carries a lot of weight in the minds of other pitchers,” Farrell said. “They understood it. We set it up that way accordingly.”
No WBC for E-Rod
Team Venezuela wanted to use Eduardo Rodriguez as a starter for the second round of the World Baseball Classic, but he’s not leaving camp.
Rodriguez has had knee issues since last year’s spring training, and although he seems OK at the moment, the Red Sox would be foolish to let him out of their sight. So, he’s not going. But who actually made the choice ended up as its own little public relations episode.
In the morning, Farrell said Rodriguez denied the request.
Teams are very careful not to interfere with player choices when it comes to the WBC, at least publicly. Players are supposed to be able to go if they want to represent their countries.
Pretty much any time you hear about a player’s decision to go to the WBC, it’s emphasized: The player made the choice.
But players are also sensitive to how their loyalty to their country is perceived.
After a 3-3 Grapefruit League tie with the Tampa Bay Rays, Farrell clarified to say that it was the Red Sox who ended the conversation.
“We took it out of his hands, and that’s ultimately what happened,” Farrell said. “Eduardo felt pride for his native country to go pitch for, but given what he’s come through, the path that he’s on, it was best that he remain here with us.”
When it comes to health matters, teams do, indeed, have a say. That input doesn’t have to be hidden.
Presumably, all along, the Red Sox said no to Rodriguez participating, but standard operating procedure is to keep the team out of the public discussion.
Deep thoughts on Travis
Sam Travis crushed his third home run of the spring to left field. Farrell’s commentary suggested there’s still more to see from the first baseman, particularly against offspeed pitches and breaking balls.
“There’s tremendous bat speed,” Farrell said. “Anytime he gets a fastball on the plate, in the middle of the plate, he’s been able to square some pitches up. He’s impressive. That was a well-struck ball through the wind here today. Good to see him swing the bat as he’s doing.” . . .
First baseman/designated hitter Hanley Ramirez (right shoulder) has started to go through the early phases of a throwing program.