4 reasons why Red Sox are predicted by an MLB exec to win AL pennant

1 month ago 16

The Boston Red Sox have clinched a playoff spot, and they're headed to the postseason after an incredible mid-season turnaround under Chad Tracy.

But now that they've made it there, how they perform is going to be very interesting. Slated to face the New York Yankees in the Wild Card, and then the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS if they beat the Yankees, the path to the AL Pennant isn't going to be easy.

In the eyes of one MLB executive, however, the Red Sox are the team to beat in the AL. ESPN's Jeff Passan shared that one MLB executive believes the Red Sox will win the AL pennant this year, highlighting five reasons why a title could be Boston's.

4 reasons why Red Sox are predicted to win AL pennant

"The Red Sox might be the No. 5 seed, but they're going to win the American League pennant," Passan shared about an MLB executive's prediction.

There are four reasons why Boston could make it to the World Series this year. The first being the team's elite offensive production lately.

"Since the All-Star break, one evaluator pointed out, the Red Sox have the best offense in the AL," Passan writes. That's a good starting point for postseason success.

This is a productive lineup, thanks to Willson Contreras, Roman Anthony, Caleb Durbin, Adley Rutschman, and many others. But there's a lot more than just a good lineup behind why this Red Sox team can make a run.

"They're also an MLB-best in fielding independent pitching (FIP), a predictive metric that suggests they will continue to throw well," Passan writes.

The Red Sox pitching staff is a huge reason to believe in this team. Both the starting rotation and the bullpen are in great spots to achieve success this October.

MORE: White Sox reportedly have 'no urgency' to sign Munetaka Murakami to an extension

Sonny Gray, Ranger Suarez, Payton Tolle, Jake Bennett, Aroldis Chapman, Garrett Whitlock, Erik Miller, and many others make up a strong pitching staff.

Besides the team's strong lineup, starting rotation, and bullpen, what else is working in their favor? Well, the AL as a whole is a lot weaker than the National League.

As Passan put it, "And, perhaps the most helpful of all, it's the AL, where the path to the World Series is a sandy beach compared to the jungle of the National League."

The Rays and Yankees are tough draws, but there is reason to believe in this Red Sox squad against both teams. If they can get past them both, then the Red Sox will face one of the Cleveland Guardians, Chicago White Sox, or an AL West team in the ALCS.

Neither the Guardians nor the White Sox have a complete team like the Red Sox, and the winner of the AL West might have a record under .500 this year. Those are not threatening opponents.

So, with the favorable path to the World Series, a strong lineup that's been the best in baseball since the mid-season mark, and the team's elite pitching staff in the bullpen and rotation, the Red Sox being predicted to win the AL pennant isn't that bold.