{"id":563714,"date":"2026-03-25T16:42:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T16:42:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/563714\/"},"modified":"2026-03-25T16:42:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T16:42:09","slug":"heres-where-experts-rank-the-red-sox-entering-the-2026-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/563714\/","title":{"rendered":"Here\u2019s where experts rank the Red Sox entering the 2026 season"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBoston Red Sox\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tBoston lands in the top 10 across most preseason MLB power rankings.<\/p>\n

\"red
\n\tBoston Red Sox Ceddanne Rafaela celebrates his two-run homer with Roman Anthony in the third inning of a game against the Atlanta Braves in North Port, Fla. Feb. 27. AP Photo\/Gerald Herbert\t<\/p>\n

After wrapping up spring training with a loss to the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday, the Boston Red Sox<\/a> now turn their attention to Opening Day, where they\u2019ll face the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

With the 2026 MLB season set to begin, major outlets have released their preseason power rankings \u2014 and Boston consistently finds itself in the top 10.\u00a0<\/p>\n

No. 8 in The Ringer<\/p>\n

In their power rankings released Tuesday<\/a>, The Ringer placed the Red Sox at No. 8, slotting them between the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Ringer\u2019s Anthony Dabbundo highlighted Boston\u2019s revamped starting rotation, featuring Sonny Gray<\/a>, Ranger Su\u00e1rez<\/a>, and Johan Oviedo<\/a> alongside Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a good mix of pitching profiles, which should help solve the pitching depth issues the Red Sox struggled with for portions of last year,\u201d Dabbundo wrote.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Offensively, Boston reshaped its roster, moving on from Alex Bregman and adding players like Caleb Durbin and Willson Contreras.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Dabbundo wrote that Boston is \u201cstill less talented than Toronto and New York,\u201d but the talented youth on the team \u201ccould change the A.L. East hierarchy in a flash.\u201d<\/p>\n

No. 8 in The Athletic<\/p>\n

The Athletic also ranked<\/a> the Red Sox No. 8, pointing to a roster loaded with talent but potential lineup challenges.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no doubting that the Red Sox have a lot of good players,\u201d The Athletic\u2019s Tim Britton wrote. \u201cIt\u2019s worth wondering whether they can all be on the field at the same time.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Britton cited Boston\u2019s depth in both the outfield and starting rotation, while projecting a 60% chance to reach the postseason.<\/p>\n

No. 9 in ESPN<\/p>\n

In ESPN\u2019s power rankings<\/a>, the Red Sox checked in one spot lower at No. 9, with a projected record of 87-75.\u00a0<\/p>\n

ESPN\u2019s Jorge Castillo highlighted Roman Anthony\u2019s rapid rise, calling it a \u201cmeteoric ascension,\u201d particularly after his standout showing in the World Baseball Classic. The 21-year-old outfielder hit .292 with eight home runs and a 140 OPS+ during his first stint in the majors before an oblique strain sidelined him late in 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, ESPN\u2019s Bradford Doolittle pointed to Garrett Crochet as a leading American League Cy Young award candidate after an 18-5 season with a 2.59 ERA and 255 strikeouts.\u00a0<\/p>\n

No. 7 in Bleacher Report<\/p>\n

The Red Sox sit seventh in the Bleacher Report rankings<\/a>. Sports writer Joel Reuter highlighted the impact of the new-look rotation and the potential of Anthony.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cA full, healthy season from Roman Anthony would have a bigger impact than any outside addition,\u201d Reuter wrote. \u201cHe has the talent to be a legitimate A.L. MVP candidate in 2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

No. 7 in MLB.com<\/p>\n

MLB.com\u2019s rankings<\/a> also placed Boston at No. 7.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The league pointed to strong offensive showings in the World Baseball Classic as a reason for optimism.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This included Anthony\u2019s game-winning home run for Team USA in a semifinal win over the Dominican Republic national baseball team. And in a match against Mexico, Aaron Judge belted a two-run homer and Anthony hit a three-run homer in the third inning to power Team USA to a 5-3 victory.<\/p>\n

Boston Globe writers see playoff potential\u00a0<\/p>\n

Seven writers at The Boston Globe offered<\/a> their predictions of Boston\u2019s outlook. While no one predicted the Red Sox to win the World Series, six projected the team would reach the postseason via the A.L. wild card. <\/p>\n

Columnist Christopher Gasper<\/a> was the lone holdout, leaving Boston out of his playoff field. <\/p>\n

Three writers favored the Toronto Blue Jays, and another three favored the New York Yankees to take the A.L. East title. <\/p>\n

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