Trent Reinsmith
The Boston Red Sox have won the World Series four times since 2004. Despite that impressive number of Fall Classic victories, the Boston baseball club has not been a picture of consistency when it comes to making the MLB playoffs. The team has not made the postseason for more than three straight seasons in its history. The last time the Red Sox went to the playoffs in three straight years was 2016-2018. They lost in the American League Divisional Series in ’16 and ’17 and won their most recent World Series in 2018.
Boston missed the playoffs in 2019 and 2020, but made it to the postseason in 2021, where they went to the American League Championship Series. However, they fell to the Houston Astros in six games and did not make it back to the World Series.
The Red Sox are playing fairly well this season, but they are in third place in the AL East behind the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays with a record of 37-31. If the season were to end at this moment, the Red Sox would miss the playoffs and the two American League wild card spots would go to the Blue Jays and Cleveland Guardians.
Before we look at the Boston Red Sox’ chances of making the 2022 MLB Playoffs, check out our guide on World Series Betting, as well as the best sites for betting on MLB in 2022.
Boston Red Sox to make the 2022 MLB Playoffs Picks
| Team |  |  |  |
| Boston Red Sox Make Playoffs | -160 | -152 | -152 |
| Boston Red Sox Miss Playoffs | +130 | +124 | +124 |
Hitting
Scoring has not been an issue with the Red Sox. They have 322 runs scored this season, which is second in the American League to the Yankees, who have put up 344 runs. Boston’s bats are connecting at an impressive rate. The Red Sox have three of the top-five batting averages in the American League with J.D. Martinez (.335), Xander Bogaerts (.332) and Rafael Devers (.330). Those three are also in the top-five in hits with Devers not only leading the AL but all of MLB with 89. Bogarts has 82 hits and Martinez has 76. Trevor Story has also been helping on offense. He is fifth in the American League in RBIs with 45.
Pitching
Giving up runs has been a bit of an issue for the Red Sox. The team has surrendered 272 runs against this season, which puts them behind the Yankees, Astros, Guardians and Rays. All teams who they are fighting with for a berth in the postseason.
Boston does not seem to have a lot of faith in its starting rotation. The Red Sox have the second most bullpen innings in the majors and the most in the American League.
Nick Pivetta has been the best pitcher so far this year for the Red Sox. He has seven wins in 14 starts and an ERA of 3.31, which is more than a run less than where he finished last season. He has also pitched the most innings of any Red Sox starter at 81.2
Management
Red Sox manager Alex Cora had a rough start to the season. The team went 10-19 out of the gate and were in last place in the AL East. The team has turned things around and now stand at 37-31. On Sunday, the Red Sox picked up their third straight series win, beating the Cardinals two games to one. They play the 26-41 Detroit Tigers next before moving on to Cleveland and Toronto.
Cora is happy with how things have changed for the Red Sox, but he knows the hard work is ahead, especially with the New York Yankees playing so well this year.
Our pick
The upcoming series against the Blue Jays and Guardians will be very telling for the Red Sox. I think the team is steadily improving and has yet to hit its stride. I think the Red Sox will make the 2022 MLB Playoffs as an American League Wild Card team.
Pick: Boston Red Sox to make the 2022 MLB Playoffs.
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