The Boston Red Sox ownership decided to get back “in the game”. The game we are referring to is – winning. Since posting 92 victories in 2021, Boston’s ownership had stated they were “reeling back” expenditures and the next two years they won 78 games in 2022 and 2023.
Money was spent on the structure to retool the farm system and last year some of the fruits of their labor were realized, particularly in the second half of the season and the Red Sox made a modest improvement to 81-81.
One never knows what motivates an organization to desire to excel. With Tampa Bay and Toronto not moving up, the hated New York Yankees reaching the World Series and Baltimore a team on the rise in the American League, Boston’s ownership determined now is not the time to sit idly by. They signed Alex Bregman, burgeoning ace Garrett Crochet, and World Series pitching hero Walker Buehler.
With New York losing their ace Gerrit Cole and the Orioles not doing much to improve their overall pitching, the BoSox are loved by sharp bettors to have a chance to win the AL East and just maybe be a contender to reach the World Series. Can Bean-Town beam again about their “Sawx”?
Do the Red Sox Have What It Takes?
The improvement Boston made shows in the respect Bet365 and other top sportsbooks are giving Boston to start the 2025 season.
- Red Sox to Win Division – +300 (3rd)
- Red Sox Win Total – Over/Under 86.5
- Red Sox to Win the AL – +700 (3rd overall)
- Red Sox to Win the World Series – +1800 (7th overall)
*All odds from Bet365 (check our Bet365 Review)
Though third in the AL East doesn’t sound great, consider the Yankees’ win total is 88.5 and the Orioles is 87.5, placing Boston right in the mix. The Red Sox are presently ranked ahead of whoever would win the AL Central or AL West to win the American League pennant.
Boston’s Offense Looks Loaded
The Red Sox approach in 2024 was far different than your typical offense playing in Fenway Park. Boston moved back into the Top 10 in scoring at #9 last year. They were #9 in homers and #4 in total bases.
What was different about this collection of players was their speed. Instead of just banging balls off the Green Monster, this group put vast numbers of balls into the gap and led the majors in doubles. Additionally, Boston had 144 stolen bases, which was #7 in the big leagues.
Why the doubles and stolen bases matter: this works both home and away and you place more pressure on opposing clubs with this kind of attack.
Having Bregman as a consistent run-producer helps Raphael Devers. This should help the offense to take the next step and if Trevor Story and Triston Casas can return to career norms after injury, all the better.
Two areas of concern are do the younger players take a step backward and ranking #3 in striking out. If the everyday players do their job and Bregman delivers, this is a strong offense.
BoSox Pitching Likely Determines Their Fate
Crochet is supposed to be the ace of the staff. He’s never pitched 150 innings at any level of pro baseball. He would have easily reached that number with the White Sox in 2024, but being injured the last few seasons, Chicago was extremely selective in using the left-hander after the All-Star break to maintain his trade value.
Walker Buehler appeared washed up coming back from Tommy John and was hit hard most of his season until some better starts in September. Buehler was learning that 94 MPH is not 99/98 and he couldn’t blow batters away. In the playoffs, he started pitching more and throwing less and gained confidence and chances are this is the guy he will be for the rest of his career. And that might be very good.
If Crochet and Buehler work out, that takes Brayan Bello, Tanner Houck, and Kutter Crawford from the top of the rotation to the middle and back end, where they are a better fit. If Lucas Giolito can stay injury-free, this helps.
The BoSox bullpen finished dead last in ERA by 0.6 runs at 5.45. Management determined more swing and miss hurlers were needed. In comes Liam Hendriks and Aroldis Chapman, both hard throwers, on the backside of their careers. If the starters go deeper, that can help the bullpen.
Boston Outlook
Even the Los Angeles Dodgers have pitching questions, thus, Boston wondering what they have is understandable.
If overall pitching is just average, the defense makes fewer miscues, and hitters have more discipline at the dish, Boston can win the AL East. From there, it’s about execution.
*21+ Seek help with a gambling addiction at 1-800-Gambler*The line and/or odds referenced in this article might have changed since the content was published. For the latest information on line movements, visit OddsTrader’s free betting odds tool.
