MLB 2025: Boston Red Sox Over/Under For Wins

• The Boston Red Sox open their MLB season on March 27 in Texas against the Rangers
• The BoSox finished .500, 81-81, in 2024 and made major changes to their roster over the winter
• They have not made the playoffs since 2021, nor have they finished above .500 since that season
• Oddsmakers are ambivalent about them for 2025

Boston Made Significant Additions

After a disappointing 81-81 season amid rampant criticism of owner John Henry and his lack of spending, the Red Sox made major offseason moves to address their most pressing issues, namely their starting rotation and offense.

For the rotation, Garrett Crochet was acquired from the White Sox and Walker Buehler was signed as a free agent from the Dodgers. It was Buehler who was on the mound for the final out in LA’s World Series win over the Yankees.

Boston was ninth in runs scored in the majors in 2024. To address that, they signed a former nemesis with the Astros Alex Bregman. There was a brief controversy in the immediate aftermath of the signing as the club did not inform incumbent third baseman Rafael Devers that he would spend some time at DH with Bregman playing third. Initially, Devers refused to entertain the notion, but he has since softened that stance.

They signed veteran Aroldis Chapman for the backend of the bullpen and are expecting a contribution from Liam Hendriks, who missed all of 2024.

Returning Players Will Take the Next Step

Their 81-81 record in 2024 epitomized mediocrity, but it should be noted that they did it without Trevor Story for most of the season, and had journeymen Dom Smith and Emmanuel Valdez playing most of the games at first and second base.

Smith and Valdez are gone.

They incorporated young players like Ceddanne Rafaela and Japanese import Masataka Yoshida into the everyday lineup. Center fielder Jarren Duran is blossoming into a superstar.

The Red Sox Will Go Beyond 87.5 Wins

Alex Cora is one of baseball’s best managers and the players know he is in charge. Unlike many other organizations, Boston gives more leeway to Cora to make decisions regarding the lineup and how to proceed in-game. If anyone can handle the delicate situation with Devers, the mercurial reliever Chapman, make sure the younger players are prepared, and oversee the bullpen, it’s him.

Boston has upgraded its roster, will put up a lot of runs, benefit from a dramatically better starting rotation and beefed up bullpen to win at least 88 games. They are superior to the Blue Jays and Rays, are slightly better than the Orioles, and had a better offseason than the Yankees. They are a threat to win the AL East outright.