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Alex Cora reveals initial Red Sox spring training rotation as injuries linger

Author Alex Barth and Joe Winner
Starting pitcher Josh Winckowski #73 of the Boston Red Sox throws against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Fenway Park on August 23, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

The Red Sox begin playing spring training games this weekend in Fort Myers. After their annual game against Northeastern on Friday, they’ll take the field for their first real spring training game in Venice on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday they take on the Tampa Bay Rays here in Fort Myers at Jet Blue Stadium. With games comes the need for a pitching rotation, which manager Alex Cora shared in part on Tuesday.

Right now, the rotation starts with a question mark. Saturday’s starter against the Braves still remains to be determined. Righty Josh Winckowski will then get the start on Sunday, followed by Kutter Crawford on Monday. On Tuesday, Corey Kluber – who was one of the biggest offseason additions for the Sox – will make his first start in a Red Sox uniform.

Kluber, after signing a one-year, $11 million dollar deal this winter, is expected to be a part of the Red Sox rotation once the regular season begins.

Winckowski also may get a shot at a role after starting 14 of his 15 appearances last year. Although that was as more of an ‘opener’ than a ‘starter.’

Sorting out the initial rotation will be one of the biggest questions for the Red Sox to answer this summer. Also in contention for if not in line for a spot are Chris Sale, Garrett Whitlock, Nick Pivetta, James Paxton, Tanner Houck, and Brayan Bello.

However, not all of those pitchers will be able to compete right away. Whitlock is still recovering from offseason hip surgery, and Bello was shut down last week with forearm soreness. On top of that, Pivetta also just pulled out of next month’s World Baseball Classic as he works his way back from an illness.

Tickets to the Red Sox spring training Sunday game in Fort Myers are still available starting at $13.

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RSW Named Number One Airport In America

RSW Named Number One Airport In America. Fort Myers is known for having the best beaches, golf courses and sunsets. Now, it will also be known for having the best airport too.

Being from Chicago, I was used to flying out of Ohare, which is one of the busiest airports in the country. Not only was traffic on the highway always terrible, but parking was easily an hour event, not to mention expensive. Also, the lines for check-in and TSA were insanely long. So, it was a breath of fresh air after moving here to be able to fly out of RSW. Yes, they may recommend arriving 2 hours before your flight leaves, but I’ve never waited longer than 10 minutes to get through security. It’s convenient, parking is reasonable, and no trams or people movers are necessary to get around the airport.

I’m not the only one to think that Southwest Florida International (RSW) is pretty great. Travel Lens thinks so too. Travel Lens is an online publication that features best hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, and airports. There are over 5000 public airports in the United States. Travel Lens looked at the 50 busiest airports in the country and factors like wait times, passenger satisfaction, CO2 emissions and Google review ratings.

On the USA Airport Report by Travel Lens, RSW came in at number one with a rating of 8.06/10.  The airport has a Google review rating of 4.5 /5. While it’s not the biggest airport, it may surprise you to learn that it’s the second busiest single runway airport in the United States. The average wait time is just 16 minutes and there are low pollution levels.

Ben Siegel is the executive director of the Lee County Port Authority. He said about their rating “We would not be able to have this success without our employees, the airlines, Transportation Security Administration, concessions and airport business partners who work so hard each and every day to make the travel experience at RSW a positive one for our guests.”

Top 10 Airports in America, According to Travel Lens:

  • 10. Washington Dulles International (IAD)

    Score: 6.58

  • 9. Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall (BWI)

    Score: 6.63

  • 8. Harry Reid International, Nevada (LAS)

    Score: 6.89

  • 7. Indianapolis International (IND)

    Score: 7.1

  • 6. Sacramento International (SMF)

    Score: 7.3

  • 5. Dallas Love Field (DAL)

    Score: 7.35

  • 4. Tampa International (TPA)

    Score: 7.76

  • 3. Portland International, Oregon (PDX)

    Score: 7.86

  • 2. John Wayne, Orange County, California (SNA)

    Score: 7.96

  • 1. Southwest Florida International (RSW)

    Score: 8.06

Joe Winner spends his days combing through memes and off beat stories to bring you the side of Florida not always seen.

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Author Alex Barth and Joe Winner
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