No. 9 Rangers | No. 7 Cardinals | Nos. 10-1
Boston Red Sox
Last Season: 78-84
Projected record: 87-75 (first in AL East)
BBTN video preview: AL East | Betting guide
To anyone who offered the Kansas City Royals as proof that a proven No. 1 starter isn't required to contend, the ace-less 2015 Red Sox are the counterpoint. David Price gives the Sox a legit ace for the first time since they traded Jon Lester in 2014, and he allows Clay Buchholz, Rick Porcello and the rest of the rotation to fall in line behind him. That could make all the difference to a team that features a promising young core, including stars-in-waiting Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts. And in David Ortiz's final season, it simply wouldn't seem right if Boston isn't playing meaningful late-season games.
Between Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts and top prospects Rafel Devers and Yoan Moncada, the Red Sox should have some of the best position players in baseball heading into the future. -- ESPN.com (graphic from Dan Szymborski)
Unless you hang out on the North Side of Chicago, it's difficult to find a team that has assembled a more talented crop of 20-somethings than the Red Sox. In addition to leadoff-hitting right fielder Betts and shortstop Bogaerts, there's lefty Eduardo Rodriguez, catcher Blake Swihart and defensively gifted center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. All have endured the requisite growing pains in the big leagues and appear poised to lead the team into its post-Papi era.
Remember the "Gold Dust Twins," the nickname given to Red Sox rookies Jim Rice and Fred Lynn in 1975? Meet the "Gold Bust Twins." Boston signed Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval to contracts totaling $183 million and wound up with two of the least valuable players in the majors last season. Now, Ramirez is moving to first base -- his second new position in as many years -- and Sandoval continues to battle weight issues. Together, they could bring down everything the Red Sox have built.
No. 7 Cardinals | No. 9 Rangers | Nos. 10-1
