Boston Sports outlook 2018: What to expect from Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics and Bruins

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 24: Tom Brady
FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 24: Tom Brady /
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It was a good year for Boston sports, but 2018 promises to be even better for the city of champions.

The year 2017 was a relatively successful one for our Boston sports teams.  It was a year that included a Super Bowl title for the New England Patriots, back-to-back division titles for the Boston Red Sox, a revamped Boston Celtics team, and a young, talented Boston Bruins team with potential.

What will 2018 bring for our favorite sports teams?  Fans should be in for a lot more winning.

Boston Red Sox

There is no question that both 2016 and 2017 were disappointments for the BoSox despite back-to-back AL East titles. Early playoff exits in which there was stagnant offense, inconsistent pitching and a lack of urgency ultimately led to the departure of manager John Farrell. Likewise, the current offseason has also been disappointing.

BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 09: Fans look on as Chris Sale
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 09: Fans look on as Chris Sale /

The rival New York Yankees have landed Giancarlo Stanton, and no free agent acquisitions have been made yet. So as the calendar turns to 2018, Red Sox fans should expect at least a few more moves on the personnel side. And when Spring Training begins, Red Sox Nation may have to brace for realistic expectations.

The Yankees clearly got better and the Astros are still the class of the AL. Boston will definitely contend for a pennant, but don’t be surprised if there’s more of the same.

New England Patriots

Anything short of a Super Bowl LII appearance will be a failure for the New England Patriots, who are the most successful Boston sports teams.

FOXBORO, MA – DECEMBER 31: Tom Brady
FOXBORO, MA – DECEMBER 31: Tom Brady /

A loss will be an enormous disappointment, but not an utter failure. Given the current playoff field, the Patriots will host a divisional game for the eighth straight year. They will also likely reach the AFC Title game for the seventh consecutive season. Without that, the season would definitely be a colossal failure.

So, as we head into the playoffs, expect Brady to return to form when it matters most, James Harrison to make some impact, and the team to make a deep run into February. If last year proved anything, this team is never dead…but no Pats fan should take that for granted in 2018.

Boston Celtics

Despite losing star free agent acquisition Gordon Hayward, the Boston Celtics are one of the leagues strongest teams as they head into 2018. But they have struggled of late, and recent injuries to key players like Jaylen Brown have proved costly.

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Never the less, this Celtic team is the best we have seen since the Big Three era. Kyrie Irving will give them a chance to win each and every night when they get on the parquet.

The year will open with a game in Boston against the rival Cavaliers, obviously a huge test for the C’s. But they have already passed one test, proving once again they are one of the relevant Boston sports teams.

Boston Bruins

The season began with little expectations for the Boston Bruins. Sure, Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, and others remained from their Stanley Cup contending core, but there were many question marks. Young players like Charlie McAvoy and David Pastrnak were known to have high potential, but others like Jake Debrusk and Danton Heinen have exceeded expectations.

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As the B’s enter 2018, they will be streaking, winning 14 of 18 as of Thursday. Final games on the road at Washington and Ottawa will be tests as well, but the Bruins will continue to rebuild and succeed in 2018 if health remains intact.