Red Sox Name Surprising Candidate As "Favorite" To Be Opening Day Starter

The Boston Red Sox have announced that left-handed pitcher Chris Sale will not be their Opening Day starter, with manager Alex Cora revealing that this was the plan all along.

Instead, there is a "good chance" that Corey Kluber will get the nod to start the regular season.

Chris Sale will NOT be the Red Sox Opening Day starter, says Alex Cora (via @byJulianMack).

Cora made the decision months ago, and it looks like Corey Kluber may be the favorite to take the hill on 3/30. pic.twitter.com/XTMVuKAiKL

— Boston Sports Gordo (@BOSSportsGordo) March 12, 2023

Kluber, who joined the Red Sox on a one-year deal with a club option for 2024, is currently the favorite to start on Opening Day after a solid 2022 season with the Tampa Bay Rays.

The right-hander posted a 4.34 ERA in 31 starts for the Rays last season and was expected to slot into the middle of the Red Sox' rotation.

Sale, who has battled numerous injuries in recent years, is likely to start the second game of the regular season, as he is scheduled to pitch one day after Kluber in the spring training rotation.

The 33-year-old southpaw has made only 11 starts for the Red Sox over the last three seasons, but has looked strong this spring with five scoreless innings in Grapefruit League games.

Despite his injury history, Sale remains a top pitcher when healthy, capable of generating plenty of swings and misses. 
Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports