Alex Cora announces his Opening Day starter
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Last season, Alex Cora started Corey Kluber on Opening Day instead of Chris Sale in large part because the Red Sox' manager didn't want to place added pressure on Sale as he returned from his injury-plagued 2022.
This time around, Cora has chosen to throw caution to the wind. The 24-year-old Brayan Bello is getting the nod this time around.
"I’m past that," said Cora when asked about potentially protecting the relatively inexperienced Bello. "Last year, I felt like I was putting too much on Chris and it didn’t work out so, let’s go. That’s where I’m at as a manager. We have to go. I think our rotation is going to be a solid one. This isn’t a knock on Nick (Pivetta). Nick has done everything great for us. His stuff is really good. But I think where we’re at as an organization and the commitment we’ve made, let’s give it to the kid and let’s see where it takes us."
Bello is not only coming off a solid first full season in the majors - going 12-11 with a 4.24 ERA - but also is just a few weeks into signing his six-year, $55 million extension.
Prior to Kluber's Opening Day start in 2023, the Red Sox started Nathan Eovaldi in the first game for three straight seasons. Prior to that, Chris Sale got the nod in 2018 and 2019.
Bello has made two starts against the team he will face on March 28, the Mariners, last pitching against Seattle on Aug. 1 of last season. The Red Sox have won each of his two appearances vs. the M's.