Alex Cora Unleashes Bold Expectations for Key Red Sox Pitchers in 2024 – The Bar Just Got Higher!

“Alex Cora Raises the Bar for Red Sox Pitchers in 2024 – Young Arms Challenged to Step Up After Disappointing Seasons!”

With back-to-back last-place finishes haunting the Red Sox, the pressure is on for Boston to revamp various aspects, particularly their pitching department, heading into 2024.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora isn’t holding back expectations for the team’s young arms. Speaking on WEEI’s “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast, Cora emphasized the need for improvement, stating, “Garrett (Whitlock) has to be better, Tanner (Houck) has to be better, (Brayan) Bello has to be better, Kutter (Crawford) needs to be better.”

Cora stressed that these young pitchers, who’ve gained valuable big league experience, are no longer rookies. “They’re getting to that point that, ‘Hey, we have to start performing.’ It’s not about upside or projections; we have to perform,” he added.

Pitching reliability hit a low point last season, jeopardizing the Red Sox’s playoff aspirations in the second half. Injuries to Houck and Whitlock, coupled with Bello’s efforts as the unofficial ace, couldn’t prevent a downward spiral. The reliance on relievers as openers further contributed to the team’s struggles, leading to their third last-place finish in the AL East in the past four years.

As the offseason unfolds, Cora’s message remains clear: for the Red Sox to see postseason action again, the young pitchers must exceed expectations, providing stability to a potentially revamped rotation come spring training.