MLB Analyst Makes Lofty Postseason Prediction For Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox are looking more and more like a legitimate contender. A former player and MLB analyst expects them to make significant noise in October.

Courtesy of MLB Network’s social media account, Mark DeRosa predicted that Boston will make the World Series this year.

It might have been an outlandish claim when the Red Sox sat below .500 in early July. However, Boston sprinted into the All-Star break with 10 straight wins and has won eight of its last 11 games despite consecutive weekend losses to the San Diego Padres.

The Red Sox possess the American League’s second wild-card spot and trail the Toronto Blue Jays by four games for the AL East lead. They boast an AL-best run differential (+84) with the Junior Circuit’s third-highest OPS and fourth-best ERA.

Boston has navigated a challenging schedule to go 12-9 in the second half despite facing the AL West-leading Houston Astros and four of the National League’s top-five clubs. After passing those steep tests, the Red Sox could justify more buzz as a top-tier team.

It’s not the first time DeRosa has recently praised the Red Sox. The former MLB infielder, who will manage the United States in next year’s World Baseball Classic, applauded the Roman Anthony extension last week.

“I love what the Boston Red Sox are about,” DeRosa said on MLB Network. “I love the fact that they locked up — Ceddanne Rafaela looks like an absolute steal, eight years, $50 million. This, probably to most fans, looks like an absolute steal, and I think Roman Anthony’s got a chance to win MVPs. He is special.”

The Red Sox still must secure a playoff spot before validating DeRosa’s faith and winning their fifth AL pennant (and potentially World Series) of the 21st century. They’ll play the first of three more games against the Astros on Monday night.