The 2024 season was not kind to the Boston Red Sox. Despite finishing the first half with a 53-42 record, the team took a complete nosedive after the All-Star break, ending in an 81-win season. Much of their struggles came down to the team’s lackluster pitching staff and bullpen, as both struggled with injuries and a lack of talent.
However, not even a year has passed, and things look much better for the Red Sox. With a highly productive 2025 offseason, the team is poised to make the playoffs after a four-year hiatus. This hype is not just reserved for Red Sox fans; however, FanDuel has set the team’s O/U win total at 86.5, a figure that the team should be able to surpass in 2025.
Why the Red Sox should be favored to break the 86.5-win total
As mentioned, the hype surrounding the Red Sox is due to their offseason. Boston’s brass chose to become heavy spenders again; something fans have not seen over the past few offseasons. Much of their spending came in the pitching department, specifically the team’s starting rotation, a completely revamped unit heading into 2025.
In addition to All-Star Tanner Houck, Boston added two All-Stars, Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler. These two editions have catapulted the Red Sox rotation into the top echelon of the American League.
Buehler, who the team signed to a one-year, $21.05 million contract in December, will provide much-needed depth to the rotation. While Buehler had a down year in 2024 that saw him pitch to a 5.38 ERA in 75.1 innings, he has proven to be a quality pitcher. In his seven seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he posted a 3.27 ERA, a 3.50 FIP, and a 125 ERA+.
Crochet, acquired via trade with the Chicago White Sox in December, is the ace of Boston’s star-studded rotation. In an All-Star campaign in 2024, the soft paw pitched to a 3.58 ERA, a 2.69 FIP, and a 115 ERA+ in 146 innings of work. At just 25 years old, Crochet is one of the team’s most exciting pitching acquisitions in quite some time, as he is primed to be Boston’s premiere pitcher in the coming years.
Boston’s Bats Will Provide a Deadly One-Two Punch
Along with significant pitching upgrades, the Red Sox added another All-Star to their already-stacked lineup, former Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman. Bregman was an excellent get for the Red Sox. In addition to his historical numbers at Fenway Park, Bregman possesses Gold-Glove-level defense, which allows him to play multiple positions in the infield. He also fills the Red Sox’s need for a power righty bat, as even in a down 2024 season (for his standards), Bregman still put together a 118 wRC+ and OPS+ to go along with 26 home runs.
The edition of Alex Bregman to a lineup that already features the likes of Rafael Devers, Triston Casas, and Jarren Duran is quite a scary sight to any opposing pitcher. And, after a season that saw the Red Sox offense finish in the top five in multiple categories, Boston will possess one of the most potent offenses in all of baseball.
How many games will the Red Sox win?
Considering the team’s additions this winter, the Red Sox possess a top-five rotation and lineup in the American League. With this in mind, the team should hit the over on their projected 86.5-win figure.
Barring any unforeseen injuries, the Red Sox have a legitimate shot at winning 90+ games and taking the AL East crown.
Hopefully, this dream will come to fruition for Red Sox fans, as it is safe to say that Boston has been starving of October baseball for far too long.
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