Red Sox 2023 MLB futures: Bettors taking Boston to make playoffs, Over on win total of 78.5

The Boston Red Sox reached the 2021 AL Championship Series, losing in six games to Houston, but then fell to 78-84 last season and finished in last place in the AL East. To make matters worse, the Sox lost All-Star shortstop Xander Bogaerts in free agency to San Diego. The rotation is a huge question mark. Yet bettors at BetMGM are crushing the Over on the team's 78.5 win total, and expect Boston to return to the postseason.

The most-bet win total at the book and the No. 1 Over is on the Red Sox. In addition, the most-bet make/miss playoff team prop is on Boston, and the Sox are taking the most action to make it at +300.

Most experts gave Boston a poor offseason grade. Boston let Bogaerts walk even though he wanted to return, and reportedly lowballed him at least once. Designated hitter JD Martinez, who hit 130 home runs for the Red Sox over the past five seasons, signed with the Dodgers. Second baseman Trevor Story likely won't play until after the All-Star break -- if at all -- after undergoing elbow surgery during the offseason. Cora has said he's hopeful Story could return this season.

The Sox acquired speedy shortstop Adalberto Mondesi from Kansas City this winter, and he likely would be the full-time replacement for Bogaerts but will open the season on the injured list with a knee injury. There's no timetable for his return. Mondesi is +700 to lead the majors in steals this year, which obviously would require that he not be on the shelf too long. Boston does have an AL Rookie of the Year contender in outfielder Masataka Yoshida (+500), who was one of the best players in the World Baseball Classic and helped lead Japan to the title.

All you need to know about the state of Boston's rotation right now is that former Cy Young winner Corey Kluber will get the Opening Day start vs. Baltimore today at Fenway Park. Kluber, who will be 37 in less than two weeks, was 10-10 with a 4.34 ERA last year with Tampa Bay. He's well past his prime.  

Incidentally, the rising Orioles are taking the second-most action at the book to make the playoffs (+350) and on Over wins with their total set at 77.5. The O's have the AL Rookie of the Year favorite in infielder Gunnar Henderson (+265). They start new addition Kyle Gibson on the mound. He was 10-8 last year with a 5.05 ERA with Philadelphia.

Among BetMGM's Opening Day specials, Orioles-Red Sox is the +650 favorite as the highest-scoring game with all 30 teams in action. It will be cold for the 2:10 p.m. ET first pitch from Fenway Park, but the winds are blowing out to right field at around 15 mph.

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