We are now in the final stretch of spring training, with only a few days until the Red Sox open the season against the Seattle Mariners. Roster decisions are being finalized in the last few days of camp, including the race for the starting rotation.

On Friday, Alex Cora announced the winners of the race for the last two rotation spots. Garrett Whitlock and Tanner Houck are in, coming at the expense of Cooper Criswell, who was optioned to minor league camp on Friday. The Red Sox prefer to keep him stretched out as a starter rather than put him in the bullpen at the onset of 2024.

Whitlock had a strong spring for the Red Sox in his latest bid to secure a rotation spot. He allowed six earned runs in his five starts, throwing 15 2/3 innings and striking out 16 batters, good for a 3.45 ERA and 0.96 WHIP.

Houck was used in relief and starting situations this spring. In five games, two being starts, Houck yielded four earned runs on 10 hits, walking three and striking out 16. That left him with a 2.40 ERA and 0.87 WHIP in 15 innings.

Criswell had an equally strong spring as he competed for a rotation spot as one of the additions of the offseason by the Red Sox. He had a 2.95 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 18 1/3 innings, allowing six earned runs while walking three and striking out 17. There is an argument to be made for Criswell to be a swingman, shuffling between a long relief role in the bullpen and being a spot starter when needed, but with the Red Sox sorely lacking options for the rotation, keeping Criswell stretched out and in the Triple-A rotation isn’t a bad idea at all.

While a few more roster decisions still have to be made, the starting rotation is now clear for the Red Sox. In order, it goes from Brayan Bello on Opening Day to Nick Pivetta, Kutter Crawford, Whitlock and Houck.

It’s almost time for real baseball, and despite the slow offseason for the Red Sox, the beginning of a new season is always an exciting time in baseball. With how grim the rotation looked a couple months ago, fans must admit this isn’t the worst end result after what many were envisioning.