Following the acquisitions of Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez, as well as the revamping of the bullpen, Red Sox fans couldn't harbor greater expectations for their team in 2011.
ESPN's experts are on the same page.
Of the 45 offering their 2011 predictions, 33 picked the Sox to win the World Series. The Phillies received the second most predictions with seven, while the defending champion Giants were picked by just one expert.
The Yankees received zero votes of confidence.
Every single expert picked the Sox to win the AL East, and 41 of 45 picked the Sox to win the pennant. The Yankees were given two pennant predictions, while the White Sox and Rays garnered one each.
Last season, only Jim Caple properly predicted a Giants championship. He's gone against the grain again this year, foreseeing a White Sox title.
The Sox begin their season in Texas on Friday.
