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Triston Casas’ rise, Alex Cora’s exit, and other bold predictions for 2024 Red Sox

The 2024 Red Sox are looking to avoid a last-place finish in the AL East for the third year in a row.

The 2024 MLB season is finally here. And expectations surrounding the Red Sox are … tepid, to say the least.

For all of the anticipation built up entering this offseason over an aggressive, “full throttle” approach, Red Sox fans might be staring at another long season as Craig Breslow and Boston’s top brass look at more of a long-term rebuild at Fenway.

Here are 10 bold predictions for the 2024 Red Sox:

Brayan Bello starts Opening Day, but won’t end up being Boston’s top pitcher

The Red Sox’ woes from last year haven’t exactly been corrected — especially when it comes to a starting rotation short on elite talent and dependable arms.

But there is some optimism to be gleaned from the top of Boston’s pitching corps, especially with Brayan Bello locked in with a new six-year extension.

Bello, 24, showcased plenty of promise during the 2023 season, with the righty entering September with a respectable 3.57 ERA before relinquishing 22 earned runs over 26 innings during that final month.

Finishing strong will be key for Bello, who will get the nod for Boston’s Opening Day start on Thursday night.

But even though Bello is poised to build off of last year’s results, we’re buying into the Kutter Crawford hype this summer.

Crawford, 27, was arguably Boston’s best starter last season — posting a 4.04 ERA over 31 appearances and striking out 135 batters through 129.1 innings of work.

The righty continued to build his game during spring training — posting a 1.98 ERA with 13 strikeouts and zero walks through five starts.