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John Farrell Explains What Goes Into Deciding Starting Rotation

BOSTON (CBS) -- John Farrell heads into the 2015 season in a situation which few managers find themselves. Though he has a starting staff made up of very capable pitchers, he has no real ace and, really, no obvious order.

Among Rick Porcello, Clay Buchholz, Joe Kelly, Wade Miley and Justin Masterson, it would be fair to say that each pitcher could rightfully be placed into any of the slots, one through five. Though Farrell said earlier in the week that he believes he has five No. 1's, the manager was asked what goes in to making the order of the rotation.

"Well, there's merit, is one. And you factor in what has taken place either in the year or years before. That's one factor," Farrell said. "You're also looking at, when you start to slot guys in, if there are pitchers that have anticipated higher innings projections, you try to stagger them so you're not potentially over-taxing a bullpen on consecutive days. And then you're trying to break things up. So if you're in a three-game series, are you giving different looks based on the style of that starter?"

It's been a different camp for Boston in terms of starting pitchers, as it is the first spring in Fort Myers that has not included Jon Lester in more than a decade. Lester served as the Sox' opening day starter for the past four seasons, following a stretch that included Josh Beckett (2009-10), Daisuke Matsuzaka (2008), and Curt Schilling (2006-07).

"I'm happy with the five we have," Farrell said earlier this week. "I'm not overly concerned that some might think we don't have a No. 1. I think we have five No. 1's. The No. 1 for us is going to be the guy that pitches that night."

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