Who are the three best starting pitchers on the Red Sox right now?

As the playoffs loom on the horizon, the Boston Red Sox have already begun strategizing their starting pitchers for the postseason. According to FanGraphs, the team has a 97.1 percent chance of making the playoffs, and given their current performance, a Wild Card series against the Royals, Rangers, Rays, Guardians, or even the opponents in the first two rounds seems highly likely.

With this in mind, the Red Sox have already set the stage for Sonny Gray and Payton Tolle to take the mound in the first two games of the series, with extra days of rest guaranteed for both starting pitchers. However, the question remains: who would be the best option for the third starting spot? Historically, Ranger Suarez, who recently inked a $130 million contract, stands out as the top candidate, boasting a 1.48 career ERA in the playoffs.

But the Red Sox might have reservations about his performance in recent games, particularly against the Yankees. Alternatively, tonight's starter, Jake Bennett, could potentially step up and earn the third starting spot if he continues to impress. Finally, there is Garrett Crochet, who won't be available for a traditional start but could provide a couple of innings in the early going, potentially disrupting the opposing team's bench and platoon matchups.

Ultimately, the Red Sox's decision on the third starting pitcher will depend on a variety of factors, including the team's overall performance and the strength of the opposing starting pitchers.