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Here’s where experts rank the Red Sox entering the 2026 season
Boston lands in the top 10 across most preseason MLB power rankings.
After wrapping up spring training with a loss to the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday, the Boston Red Sox now turn their attention to Opening Day, where they’ll face the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday.
With the 2026 MLB season set to begin, major outlets have released their preseason power rankings — and Boston consistently finds itself in the top 10.
No. 8 in The Ringer
In their power rankings released Tuesday, The Ringer placed the Red Sox at No. 8, slotting them between the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs.
The Ringer’s Anthony Dabbundo highlighted Boston’s revamped starting rotation, featuring Sonny Gray, Ranger Suárez, and Johan Oviedo alongside Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello.
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“It’s a good mix of pitching profiles, which should help solve the pitching depth issues the Red Sox struggled with for portions of last year,” Dabbundo wrote.
Offensively, Boston reshaped its roster, moving on from Alex Bregman and adding players like Caleb Durbin and Willson Contreras.
Dabbundo wrote that Boston is “still less talented than Toronto and New York,” but the talented youth on the team “could change the A.L. East hierarchy in a flash.”
No. 8 in The Athletic
The Athletic also ranked the Red Sox No. 8, pointing to a roster loaded with talent but potential lineup challenges.
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“There’s no doubting that the Red Sox have a lot of good players,” The Athletic’s Tim Britton wrote. “It’s worth wondering whether they can all be on the field at the same time.”
Britton cited Boston’s depth in both the outfield and starting rotation, while projecting a 60% chance to reach the postseason.
No. 9 in ESPN
In ESPN’s power rankings, the Red Sox checked in one spot lower at No. 9, with a projected record of 87-75.
ESPN’s Jorge Castillo highlighted Roman Anthony’s rapid rise, calling it a “meteoric ascension,” 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.
Meanwhile, ESPN’s 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.
No. 7 in Bleacher Report
The Red Sox sit seventh in the Bleacher Report rankings. Sports writer Joel Reuter highlighted the impact of the new-look rotation and the potential of Anthony.
“A full, healthy season from Roman Anthony would have a bigger impact than any outside addition,” Reuter wrote. “He has the talent to be a legitimate A.L. MVP candidate in 2026.”
No. 7 in MLB.com
MLB.com’s rankings also placed Boston at No. 7.
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The league pointed to strong offensive showings in the World Baseball Classic as a reason for optimism.
This included Anthony’s 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.
Boston Globe writers see playoff potential
Seven writers at The Boston Globe offered their predictions of Boston’s 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.
Columnist Christopher Gasper was the lone holdout, leaving Boston out of his playoff field.
Three writers favored the Toronto Blue Jays, and another three favored the New York Yankees to take the A.L. East title.
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