The 2018 Boston Red Sox have been probably the greatest groups in current reminiscence, going 108-54 within the common season, en path to an AL East title and in the end, a World Collection championship.
As spectacular because the 108 regular-season wins have been, their 11-3 file within the postseason was equally illustrative of simply how dominant that crew was.
The issue for followers in Beantown, although, is that right here we’re seven years later. And the Pink Sox have solely been again to the playoffs as soon as since then, which was in 2021. They usually haven’t gained the division since that incredible 2018 season.
Can that streak be damaged this 12 months?
With the addition of lefty ace Garrett Crochet through a commerce with the White Sox, and the free agent signings of pitchers Walker Buehler and Alex Bregman, the Pink Sox spent this winter closing the hole on the Orioles and Yankees. They spent most of 2024 on the perimeter of competition for the division and in mid-July, the Pink Sox have been 10 video games over .500 at 53-43, earlier than a second-half swoon dropped them to 81-81.
Nonetheless, not solely have they gotten higher, however the hole between them and the Yankees may very nicely be shrinking, as a result of nightmarish winter for reigning AL champs.
Boston Pink Sox (+350) to win AL East
Juan Soto departed from the Bronx, ace Gerrit Cole is not going to throw a pitch this season and postseason hero and future Corridor of Famer Giancarlo Stanton is presumably out for the season. Rookie of the Yr Luis Gil can be injured, with a return date that is still unclear.
13 wins separated these groups final 12 months. Is it attainable the Yankees backtrack by seven or eight wins and the Pink Sox enhance by an analogous quantity, contemplating their additions? I feel it completely is in play, and, in fact, the Orioles are additionally within the combine for this division with all of their younger expertise.
Nonetheless, they misplaced ace Corbin Burnes in free company and are already coping with their very own pitching accidents, as Grayson Rodriguez — who was anticipated to start out Opening Day — is recovering from an elbow harm and isn’t anticipated again any time quickly. Fellow beginning pitchers Tyler Wells and Kyle Bradish stay on the shelf as nicely.
The Pink Sox not solely added a ton of established expertise by trades and free company this offseason, however they personal what Baseball America considers the most effective farm system in baseball.
Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer, and Kristian Campbell are all names that baseball followers may turn into very acquainted with within the coming years. These gamers may give the Pink Sox depth and suppleness, if any of them come up this 12 months to contribute. The gaudy farm system additionally makes the Pink Sox able to including expertise mid-season through one other commerce if that’s the trail they so select.
Both manner, the Pink Sox +350 to win their first AL East since 2018 is a guess I actually like. Moreover, a much less dangerous guess for them to simply make the playoffs at -105 can be a great one, as they need to be one of many six greatest groups within the American League.
Will Hill, a contributor on the Bears Bets Podcast, has been betting on sports activities for over a decade. He’s a betting analyst who has been a number on VSiN, in addition to the Goldboys Community.
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