During the Boston Red Sox’s championship run, their pitching rotation was an unexpected strength. Despite missing Chris Sale for the majority of the second half, their rotation was one of the best in baseball. In 2019, they will return the same group and have Nathan Eovaldi for a full season. This staff does not only have the chance to be a strength but one of the best rotations in baseball. While this team will be motivated by another championship, the expectations are even higher as this team begins their title defense.

The Red Sox will again be lead by Chris Sale, who has a lot to prove this year. When the Red Sox ace was healthy last season, he was one of the top pitchers in baseball. He finished with an impressively low ERA of 2.11 and struck out 237 batters. Although he was limited in the second half, Sale still finished fourth in the Al Cy Young voting. Despite his strong season the Red Sox’s lefty again faded after the All-Star break. With free agency on the horizon, he will be looking to prove that durability is not an issue. That will only serve as additional motivation for one of the fiercest competitors in baseball.

Sale will most likely be followed by David Price, who redeemed himself last season. Price was arguably the Red Sox’s best pitcher in the second half when Sale was hurt. During an 11-start stretch, Price went 6-1 with an ERA of 2.11. He conquered his postseason demons as he struck out 23 batters in 26 innings through the playoffs. After battling injuries in 2017, Price showed that he can still be an elite pitcher. Following a rocky start to his Red Sox career, Price was finally a key piece to a championship team. Along with Sale, the Red Sox should have a formidable duo atop of their rotation.

The third spot will fall to Rick Porcello, who was a key veteran presence last season. In 33 starts, the righty won 17 games and struck out a career-high 191 batters. After surrendering a worst 38 home runs in 2017, that total dropped to 28 last season. While he wasn’t Cy Young like, he also was not a near disaster. The former first-round pick was durable, as he made 30 starts for the third consecutive season.

The rotation will be rounded out by Nathan Eovaldi and Eduardo Rodriguez. Both have high potential and were key to the championship run. Rodriguez set a career high with 13 wins and finished with a sub-four ERA for the first time since his rookie season. His strikeout rate continued to rise to a career-best 10.1. Before missing two months due to an ankle sprain, E-Rod was able to stabilize the back end of the Red Sox’s rotation. If he can stay healthy, then he should only continue to improve.

That leaves Eovaldi, who was a revelation once coming to Boston in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays last season. Eovaldi was not only dominant against the New York Yankees but had a magical postseason ride. In six playoff appearances, he had an ERA of 1.61 and held batters to a .181 average. He blew batters away with his electric fastball and solid slider. In Game 3 of the World Series, he became a fan favorite with as he pitched six innings on two days rest amid a legendary 18-inning battle. Having a pitcher with his potential in the back of the rotation is rare for a major league club. With Eovaldi in the fold for the next four years, he has the chance to be truly special.

Coming off a magical 2019 season, this group should be exciting to watch. Their talent is undeniable, especially if they can stay healthy. That was an issue last season as Sale and Rodriguez both missed significant time. The start of the 2019 season is still six weeks away, however, this team has made it clear that one championship will not be enough.