2018 Boston Red Sox Recap

Baseball gurus insist that spring training records really don't matter. Well, in 2018 they sort of did. The Boston Red Sox took spring honors with 22 victories, and never let their foot off the gas. Their 108 victories were enough to win the AL East by eight games, and they continued to blitz their way through the playoffs losing but one game in each round.

Boston batters pounded major league pitching all season, and even the pitching staff showed moments of excellence. David Price shook the post-season monkey off his back, and if not for a shoulder ailment, Chris Sale would have certainly garnered more conversation as the best pitcher in baseball.

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The Boston Red Sox 2019 Fantasy Projections – A Lineup Loaded up with BoSox

Putting together a fantasy roster involves picking batters and pitchers that are invariably on the best teams in baseball, but with variety. Rarely does an opportunity occur when a fantasy team could almost load up on bats and arms from the same team. Well, as good as the defending world champion Boston Red Sox are, a fantasy team loaded up with BoSox will be a championship contender.

Pitcher projections for Boston always need to be tempered by the fact they throw half their allotment of regular season games with the Green Monster behind them. Boston did finish in the top 10 for run production, but slipped down in the home runs hit category. Still, be mindful where Red Sox pitchers pitch.

Chris Sale SP – If it wasn't for an achy shoulder, Sale might have won the Cy Young in the American League. He is a steady strikeout pitcher, who wins games for one of the best teams in baseball. With Sale, you can almost ignore the Green Monster factor. Most fantasy boards have Sale one spot below Scherzer as the best in baseball, and with good reason.

David Price SP – Once upon a time, Price was as coveted or even more so than his teammate. Price might have a more relaxed feel this season. He is out from under the media spotlight in Boston, plus says he's as healthy as he's been in the last three seasons. Like Sale, Price is going to get wins pitching for the Red Sox, and his strikeout per inning in 2018 can't be overlooked from a fantasy perspective.

Eduardo Rodriquez SP – When you're the number three projected opening day pitcher for the defending world champs, you deserve fantasy relevance. Rodriquez is worthy of the attention. Like Boston's one two punch of Sale and Price, Rodriquez is going to be in line for a lot of W's. Not lost on wins should be his impressive K/9 ratio. He may earn more innings in 2019 as the third starter.

2019 Fantasy Hitter Projections – The Best Bats in Beantown

The team that hoists the World Series trophy usually has a lineup that's posted strong numbers. In 2018, these numbers produced the most fantasy relevant hitters in baseball. Boston led the majors in runs and hits, plus finished third in stolen bases. While home run numbers weren't quite as impressive, they still were good enough for ninth best in baseball.

When thinking from a fantasy perspective, every single player from top to bottom in the Red Sox lineup has at least some worth. Projected number nine hitter, catcher Christian Vasquez is the only Boston hitter not worthy of a roster spot, yet.

The eighth hitter, Jackie Bradley Jr., makes preseason top-200 overall projections. However, when you have three players rated in the fantasy hitter top-10, those Beantown bats are the ones to target.

Mookie Betts OF – Betts turned the corner from fantasy worthy, to fantasy stud in 2018. 30/30 production for power and base speed, blended with a .346 average make Betts worthy to challenge Mike Trout as the most coveted draft day hitter. Sandwiched at the number two spot in the powerful Red Sox lineup fuels his appeal.

JD Martinez OF – A 2019 fantasy projection report for Martinez could almost mirror the one written for Betts. One difference is that Betts makes the top of many lists, but Martinez holds between the number 3 and number 10 best fantasy hitter range. The only category Martinez lacks is stolen bases, but JD makes up for it in RBIs.

Andrew Benintendi OF – It may seem odd from a fantasy perspective, but a team that could manage to draft the entire Red Sox outfield would have to be considered a contender. Benintendi is the third Boston bat from their outfield. If dynasty league consideration is in play, he rivals only Betts as an early round must have.

Fantasy Rank Team

With the type of run and hit production that comes out of the Boston Red Sox lineup from top to bottom, they are clearly the number one collective hitting team from a fantasy perspective. They may not match the prolific numbers from a year ago, but this team is too good not to provide a lineup full of productive fantasy bats; probably the best in baseball.

Overall: 95
Pitchers: 80
Hitters: 99

The Bottom Line in Beantown

Chris Sale is discussing a contract extension, and David Price appears to be more comfortable in Boston after he put a ring on his finger. The Beantown bats are ominous. There isn't going to be a night on the schedule where Boston could not potentially explode for double digit run production. They are that good.

From a fantasy perspective, even their bottom hitter is worthy of a backup catcher spot. The entire rest of their everyday roster is fantasy worthy. In fact, filling every outfield spot with a Red Sox is a very reasonable objective. Fantasy owners will covet Boston hitters early and often, and don't be surprised if the real Red Sox aren't back for an encore next November.



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