Next up on our MLB schedule of odds, props and futures is a preview of the 2023 Boston Red Sox. Boston is looking for a bounce-back season after finishing 78-84 in 2022, good for last place in the AL East of the MLB standings.
The Red Sox reported to their Spring Training facility in Fort Myers, Florida, two weeks ago, and their Grapefruit League schedule is already underway. The balls and strikes count for real four weeks from Thursday when they open their ’23 campaign at home against the Baltimore Orioles.
Unlike their season-opening opponent this year and many other MLB teams, expectations are minimal, and optimism scarce in Boston after the team finished in the division’s basement for the fifth time in the last 11 years. Team president and CEO Sam Kennedy admitted at the start of camp that the pressure is on, especially with a dedicated fanbase growing tired of watching star players depart.
“We certainly had a lot of interest in our offseason, and we heard a lot from fans. We have to be competitive. If we’re competitive it’ll take care of any lack of interest,” Kennedy said.
“We didn’t deliver on 2022 and we need to do a better job of communicating our message to our fans. That’s on me, frankly. I’m the leader of the organization and if we’re not effectively communicating our strategy to our fans, that’s on me. That’s on us. We need to get better at it.”
Let’s break down their chances as we take a look at the 2023 Boston Red Sox season odds, props, and futures.
Red Sox Wins O/U 78.5
Oddsmakers project a similar finish for the Sox as last year, and while winning 78 or 79 MLB games would be “competitive,” it certainly wouldn’t satisfy the Boston faithful. The Yankees, Rays, and Blue Jays are all projected to finish with more victories based on the preseason win totals. Baltimore slots in two games lower than Boston but, as noted, are more optimistic than they’ve been in over a decade.
The spotlight of this team is in the infield, but more so based on what isn’t there instead of what is. The team raised eyebrows last offseason when they signed Trevor Story to a big-time free-agent contract. Not because he isn’t a great player, but because they already had a shortstop in Xander Bogaerts, and those funds could have been used elsewhere.
Story moved over to second base though many could see the writing on the wall that Bogaerts’ time in Boston was running out as his own free agency was approaching. The rest is history, obviously, as the former face-of-the-franchise wound up signing with the Padres, who certainly didn’t care about an overabundance of shortstops on their roster.
Injury update: Red Sox’s Story could potentially miss the entire MLB season.
Meanwhile, Story, who is the highlight of Boston’s MLB injury report, underwent internal brace surgery on his elbow last month and could potentially miss the entire season, though he is at least hopeful for a second-half return. Keep reading for our 2023 Boston Red Sox season odds, props, and futures.
That means Rafael Devers, who re-upped with the Sox to the tune of 11 years, $331 million, is undoubtedly the cornerstone of a new era. But without Story, who only played in 94 games a year ago, Devers will be tasked with carrying an offense otherwise filled with role players.
Looking at the Boston Red Sox team stats from a year ago, Bogaerts led the team in BA, OBP and hits, and they also lost J.D. Martinez to free agency after the DH spent the last five years playing at Fenway. This team will fight and will be managed well, but they are lacking enough top-end talent to compete in arguably the best division in baseball.
- Boston Red Sox Picks: UNDER 78.5 Wins
Rafael Devers – MVP (+2000) / RBI Leader (+1300) / Hits Leader (+1500)
Obviously, if we think the Sox will finish with under 78.5 wins, it will be extremely difficult for Devers to win an MVP award. However, that future offers tremendous value and could be one of your low-risk/high-reward MLB picks.
It is the other two that are more intriguing and probably much more realistic. Yes, he has limited protection in the lineup around him. But Alex Verdugo, Justin Turner, and Enrique Hernandez could make enough bat-to-ball contact that pitchers won’t be able to completely pitch around Devers.
MLB player stats that support a play here include the fact that he was tied for fourth in the majors in RBI last year and second in the bigs in hits in 2019. He’s the unquestioned top star of this entire team, and whenever Story returns, they’ll make a formidable duo. But until then, Devers will need to prove that moving on from Xander and giving him the keys to the kingdom was the right decision.
We don’t recommend playing any team bets (to win division or make playoffs), but the under wins and Devers to win RBI leader and/or hits leader are nice when we break down the 2023 Boston Red Sox season odds, props, and futures.
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