Boston Red Sox bold prediction: 2023 World Series or bust

Peering into the crystal ball, the 2023 season for the Boston Red Sox is cloudy. Murk-filled visions of “what-ifs” and lowered expectations can lead to a future where the surprising happens.

October 27, 2023 and it is the eve of the surprise World Series no one expected. For one franchise, at least, it was a fabulous season where many wrote them off before the first appearance of pitchers and catchers setting foot in Florida and Arizona.

And their opponent is a team fully expected to be here after a spending spree last winter, including the wooing away of a Boston favorite.

The fall classic 2023: the Boston Red Sox vs San Diego Padres.

Boston Red Sox: A season to remember

Aided by a second-half surge — and the New York Yankees never able to piece together a healthy rotation for an extended period — the Red Sox captured the A.L. East on the season’s final weekend. It was a shocking turn of events that saw Boston win by two games over the Toronto Blue Jays and four games over the Yankees.

A tough stretch from late June into the third week of July wiped out a fast start. The sweltering heat of summer had fans heads in a tizzy and a belief the Red Sox were headed to the A.L. East cellar once again.

Then, the Boston boys of summer hooked their claws into the team. Buoyed by the return of Trevor Story and powered by MVP candidate Rafael Devers, the Red Sox went 22-6 in August to hitch their wagons back into the playoff hunt.

Devers went off for a career-season with 44 home runs and 131 RBI while hitting .293. He also set career marks in doubles (56) and overall was a shining star from start to finish. Along with Rookie of the Year candidates Triston Casas and Masataka Yoshida. plus the captivating play of Alex Verdugo, the Red Sox finished the season second in runs scored.

Verdugo is also coming off an ALCS in which he hit .471 and drove in seven runs.

Thankfully, the offense was able to avoid having too many players plagued by slumps at the same time. Even when they struggled, the likes of Justin Turner, Adam Duvall, and Christian Arroyo provided the Red Sox with a boost when needed.

And Boston may not be in the position they are without a steady pitching staff that hoisted the Red Sox on their shoulders throughout much of the 2023 season.

Veterans + youth = success for Boston Red Sox

The late-career renaissance of Corey Kluber was a sight to behold in 2023, taking the ball Opening Day and skyrocketing ever since. Kluber and a rejuvenated Chris Sale were quite the 1-2 punch all season, forming one of the best duos in Major League Baseball in ’23. Both will be given heavy consideration for the Cy Young Award and a Comeback Player of the Year nod to Sale.

Speaking of Cy Young Awards, the Red Sox developed a future contender in Garrett Whitlock. Whitlock was slow to get going but delivered a post-All Star break in which he didn’t lose a decision and posted an ERA under 2.00.

The depth of the starting rotation was a huge reason for Boston’s rise in ’23, allowing to keep arms fresh and not skip a beat when an injury popped up. With Whitlock rounding into form and Brayan Bello continuing to improve, the future is bright with this Boston staff.

The bullpen was even better, showing up as advertised. Manager Alex Cora found a nice rhythm among pitchers in innings six thru nine. And, after a scary, early exit one week prior to Opening Day, closer Kenley Jansen turned in one of his best seasons in recent years.

When the offense met their struggles, it was a strong pitching staff that kept games close and led to late-game heroics reminding many of Boston championship teams of yore.

Late-October of 2023 sets the scene for the Boston Red Sox to win their fifth World Series Championship in 19 years. It is a hopeful end result for this season; one that shows slim odds at really happening. But, stranger things have occurred and that’s, as they say, “why they play the games”.

Until then, it’s an end game the Red Sox strive for, despite a hazy crystal ball simply delivering signs to “ask again later”.