Boston’s rotation, while it lead the Red Sox to another world series win last season is not as deep or potent as many people make it to be.  Four years ago this would have been a rotation you would want no part of, but now this is a rotation of aging stars and health question marks.  The bullpen was actually the bright spot as far as the pitching goes in Boston.  Koji Uehara came on strong towards the end of the season to show that he is a legitimate closer.  Below are my expectations for what you can expect from Bostons pitching staff this season.

Jon Lester, Starting Pitcher

While Lester may be Boston’s ace, you can longer say the same about him in fantasy.  Sure Lester rebounded from what was an all around atrocious 2012 season, but that season aside he still posted the highest ERA and WHIP since the 2007 season.  Lester’s K/9 rate has also been on a steady decline since 2009 when he had a career high 10.0 K/9 mark.  Fortunately for Lester he pitches for a high powered offense that should easily give him at least 15 wins. With that being said Lester is still a pitcher worth drafting just make sure you have a true ace or two on your roster before selecting him.   

2014 Projections: 3.70 ERA, 170 Strikeouts, 1.27 WHIP, 17 Wins

Clay Buchholz, Starting Pitcher  

If only he was able to stay on the field, Buchholz has the potential to provide good value to your team.  Before once again succumbing to injuries last year Buchholz was well on his to having a CY Young caliber season.  Buchholz was striking out opposing batters at his highest rate since the 2008 season and had an ERA of 1.74 in 108 innings.  While those numbers are unsustainable the potential has always been there for Buchholz to be an above average starting pitcher.  Unfortunately there is just no evidence that he will stay on the field long enough to fulfill that potential as Buchholz only averages 120 innings pitched per season.  If Buchholz does surprise though and manages play most or of all the 2014 season, for his ADP (around pick 200) you could do a lot worse, and may just a gem on your hands.

2014 Projections: 3.50ERA, 125 Strikeouts, 1.28 WHIP, 13 Wins

Jake Peavy, Starting Pitcher

The former CY Young Award winner is a shell of his former self.  Injuries have derailed this former superstar’s career ever since he left San Diego.  Besides the injuries Peavy has had an ERA under 4.04 only once in the past 6 seasons .  Now 33 years old Peavy is best left as a match up only pitcher when he is pitching at home against weak offenses.  I would stay away from all road starts as his ERA doubles to a disturbing 5.27 when he pitches on the road.

2014 Projections: 4.11 ERA, 160 Strikeouts, 1.13 WHIP 12 Wins

John Lackey, Starting Pitcher

Lackey much like Peavy is a guy five years out of his prime and is no longer a guy you want to save a spot for on your roster.  Even in AL only leagues I wouldn’t use Lackey as anything more than a spot starter.  Oddly enough Lackey had hands down his best season with the Red Sox a year after undergoing Tommy John Surgery, posting a 3.52 ERA and a career low 1.157 WHIP while striking out his highest number of batters since the 2007 season.  A strong regression is in store for Lackey this year as there is no evidence he can sustain the success he had last season going into the 2014 season.  

2014 Projections: 4.20 ERA, 145 Strikeouts, 1.31 WHIP, 12 Wins

Felix Doubront, Starting Pitcher

This preview is based on the assumption that Doubront is going to beat out Chris Capuano for the fifth starters spot.  The best and possibly only reason worth owning Doubront is that he is a pitcher who knows how to strikeout batters.  Other than a desperate need for some strikeouts, there is no other pitching category the Doubront can help your team with.  For his career Doubront owns a 4.62ERA, and a 1.455 WHIP, which are numbers that should be no part of any owners fantasy team.  The fact that he is 26 and entering his prime means there is always room for improvement, but I would say clear until he proves that he can consistently throw strikes and get batters out.

2014 Projections: 4.33 ERA, 175 Strikeouts, 1.378 WHIP, 10 Wins

Koji Uehara, Closer

Despite not coming to the majors until he was 34, Uehara has proven himself to be a reliable relief pitcher throughout his career.  Uehara has absolutely unreal control, while also owning high strikeout rates throughout his career.  Only once has Uehara even had a WHIP above a 1.00 and finished last season with a WHIP of .565 which is just unheard of.  If not for his injury history Uehara would be a household name and probably would have managed to get a hold of a closing job a lot sooner.  For a Boston team that is going get a ton of wins again this year, expect uehara to be one of the best closers in baseball as long as he stays healthy.

2014 Projections: 2.50 ERA, 85 Strikeouts, 38 saves, .750 WHIP