The MLB lockout is still occurring, and it does not look like anything will change anytime soon. This season, one of the most intriguing future bets is the Boston Red Sox. This team was written off early in 2021, but they were just two wins away from representing the American League in the World Series last year.
Boston has improved their team, and they will likely try to sign another free agent following the lockout. However, they are still projected to finish fourth in the American League East. Bookies like BetMGM have them listed at +400, so a $100 wager would return $500. Those interested in taking a risk-free bet can do so, by using the BetMGM promo code.
The current projections, according to the bookie, have the Blue Jays and Yankees tied for first at +200. They are followed by the Rays at +325, the Red Sox, and then the Orioles. Baltimore is +15000, so a $100 risk would return $15,100.
This payout may look good, but all you are doing is donating to BetMGM if you place this wager. You need to worry about the teams you are betting the Red Sox are the Blue Jays, Yankees, and Rays.
Toronto looks strong, and they have the best young core in MLB. New York is always powerful, but they have tended to collapse in the postseason. Tampa Bay is always good, even though their roster looks weaker than last year.
The way to win a division is with tremendous pitching. Boston will face every team in the division 19 times, so they must have a strong rotation. The unit pitched better than last year, especially in the postseason.
It was also accompanied by an offense consistently blasting the ball over the Green Monster. The offense may not be as potent this year with the team trading Hunter Renfroe, but I still expect the lineup to be powerful.
Chris Sale will headline the rotation. Sale was not good in 2021, especially in October. However, he was coming off Tommy John’s surgery, which could have been a reason for his slide. When Sale takes the ball in 2022, he must own the plate for Boston to succeed.
I tend to think Sale’s ace status is dying, but the Red Sox are going to give him another chance to headline the rotation. He will be followed by Nathan Eovaldi, who is coming off the best season of his career.
Eovaldi was tremendous in the playoffs last year, but he needs to do this again in the regular season. If Sale slows down, Eovaldi will be the guy who needs to take the ball in big games. Nick Pivetta, Michael Wacha, and Tanner Houck are other pitchers to look for.
Houck could earn a spot in the rotation this year. I think he is one of the most talented pitchers on the staff. His ceiling is very high, so Boston should use him in various ways.
As I said earlier, the Red Sox traded Renfroe, but they added Jackie Bradley Jr. This was a massive issue for the Red Sox last season. Boston has a better roster heading in 2022 than 2021.
Chaim Bloom is also committed to winning, so the deadline could be significant for the Red Sox. At +400, the value is a steal for the team to win the AL East.
