The Boston Red Sox: Were the Baseball Experts Predictions for 2015 MLB Season Right?

As the 2015 baseball season comes to a close, it's time to look back at the baseball experts of ESPN, The Sporting News and other websites to see how their predictions went. First up, the Boston Red Sox and the season that was supposed to be redemption but actually turned out to be more of the same. If not for the late season struggles of the Tampa Bay Rays and the Baltimore Orioles, the Red Sox would again be languishing in the cellar.

Predicted to rebound after a last place finish the previous season, Boston was, in a lot of experts' opinion, a deadlock to rebound. With the acquisitions in the off-season of Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval to compliment David Ortiz, Mike Napoli and Dustin Pedroia, many were looking for the Red Sox to take off. Grantland took the over on an 85-77 record for the season. The Sporting News, Sports Illustrated and ESPN.com as well had the Red Sox winning the East.

Offense wasn't supposed to be a problem. Though the Red Sox numbers look respectable enough, they are largely due to a post All-Star break surge, 4.19 runs per game pre-All Star Break and 5.09 post All Star. Off-season acquisitions Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval have been non-factors all season long. A waiver deadline trade of bad contracts was rumored where San Diego would exchange James Shields for Pablo Sandoval fell through and the Red Sox were left holding the Ramirez/Sandoval bag.

Sandoval has never proven the ability to hit consistently in the regular season and Ramirez has been bitten by the injury bug the past three seasons.

Where critics overestimated the Red Sox was their biggest acknowledge flaw going into the season, pitching. Grantland recognized a flaw, here via Grantland, "A team that excels in other areas can win with an endless supply of mid-rotation starters, but Boston doesn't have the rotational depth that excuses a low ceiling," but chose to ignore it. Unfortunately, the Red Sox couldn't ignore it on the field of play. Three pitchers have started at least 25 games Wade Miley, Rick Porcello and Joe Kelly. Their ERAs - 4.39, 5.02. and 4.82 respectively. Among the relievers who appeared in the games, Alexi Ogando 62 App. 4.19 ERA, Tommy Layne 62 App. 4.08, Junichi Tazawa 61 App. 4.14 ERA, the news isn't much better.