Red Sox Round Table: Over/Under predictions for 2017

Red Sox over/under 93 wins

Sean: Over. This team is at least as talented as the team that won 93 last year and that number should have been higher if they hadn’t taken their foot off the gas in the final week. Hopefully they learned their lesson about the importance of home-field advantage in the postseason and will push hard for the league’s top record.

Rick: Without Price this is still a 93 win team.  With Price this is a 98+ win team so it will all come down to his injury.

Jake: Over. This is probably the most complete Red Sox team in years, on paper. Not in recent memory (assuming Price’s health) has the team had a top-3 offense to go along with what will likely be a top-3 pitching staff. Even their defense projects to be among the best with three center fielders in the outfield and Gold Glove contenders at first and second. Health will be the key for this team, because I think there’s just too much talent here to under-perform too badly (cue 2011 Red Sox nightmares). 95 wins to win the AL East is my way-too-soon prediction.

Jon: I think this number all depends on Prices health. If he is hurt for a long period of time then under 93 wins. I still think we would win the division, but just under like 89-90 wins. If he’s healthy and pitching well then over. We would win the AL East and have the best record in the league, maybe 95-96 wins. Either way, we will win the division and the 2017 World Series. #goldbottles!!

David: Over. This is assuming Price is pitching this season. Without him, the team is different and they don’t really have the fire power that they did going into spring training. I’ll take John Farrell‘s word and try not to be too concerned.

Chris: Under – If they are going to eclipse their record from last year, a lot of things need to go right. Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr., Rick Porcello, and Hanley Ramirez all pretty much have to repeat the seasons they had last year, especially with the losses of Big Papi, Travis Shaw, and maybe Price. Dustin Pedroia needs to stay healthy, which has been an issue for him over the past few years. Also, they need for Chris Sale and Tyler Thornburg to make a seamless transition and for Kimbrel and Pablo Sandoval to have rebound years. I still think they should be the favorites to win the division. But, it won’t be easy for them to do.

Next: Red Sox vs Pirates: Final thoughts

Drew: I think with the good news about Price, that over 93 wins is an attainable goal.  Sale is going to make a tremendous difference to the depth of the rotation and at least 94 wins should not be a problem.