Red Sox: Bold predictions that may come true in 2017

Feb 28, 2017; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (41) smiles in the dugout as he talks with teammates against the New York Yankees at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2017; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (41) smiles in the dugout as he talks with teammates against the New York Yankees at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
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Bold predictions about the upcoming Boston Red Sox season, along with explanations for why they may or may not come true.

Feb 28, 2017; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (41) smiles in the dugout as he talks with teammates against the New York Yankees at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2017; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (41) smiles in the dugout as he talks with teammates against the New York Yankees at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

It’s that time of year again where every opinionated Boston Red Sox fan comes out of the woodwork with their predictions about the upcoming season.

Often times you’ll find the same prediction in one form or another on various outlets. They tend to be rather bland and obvious. Anyone can predict that Mookie Betts will win the MVP or that Chris Sale will win the Cy Young. Each is on the shortlist of candidates for those awards and need to at least be in the conversation.

That’s not what this conversation is about. These are bold predictions. The kind of predictions that make you turn your head and say, “wait, what?!”

While these predictions aren’t necessarily going to come true, there’s a method to this madness. The idea isn’t to toss out crazy statements, such as Dustin Pedroia setting the single-season home run record. Of course that will never happen (sorry, Pedey – looking forward to another season of laser shows nonetheless). Each prediction, no matter how brazen it appears on the surface, will be accompanied by an explanation for how it can reasonably happen.

Playing my own Devil’s Advocate, I’ll also counter with why it probably won’t happen to highlight what makes the prediction so bold.

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