How to Approach the Rafael Devers Saga: Boston Red Sox Odds & Predictions

As the baseball world continues to talk about why Rafael Devers should just move to first base, the designated-hitter does exactly what he's being asked to do: hit. But how would a Devers move to first base affect the Boston Red Sox odds and predictions?

🎭 The Devers saga (thus far)

It wasn't long ago that social media was ablaze with discussions revolving around Devers' move from third base to DH after the Red Sox signed Alex Bregman. After initially suggesting Bregman would play second and Devers would remain at the hot corner, Boston pivoted and asked its franchise cornerstone to become the full-time DH.

Devers wasn't pleased with that request and pushed back, but he ultimately made the move. 

Many players who transitioned from the field to DH duties have said it's a difficult mental hurdle to overcome, and we saw that when Devers started the season very slowly. However, he's since caught fire and is actually performing better at the plate than ever before in his nine-year career. 

But now, following Triston Casas' season-ending injury, "baseball experts" all across Twitter have begun to rise up and talk about how Devers should just move to first base. And, as we all know, it's both very easy from a player standpoint and very wise from an organizational one to move your best hitter to a position he's literally never played in his professional life in the middle of the season.

So, here we are. Devers continues to mash the ball but doesn't want to change positions for the second time in just a few months. Where do we go from here?

➡️ The impact of a Devers move to first base

If Devers does bite the bullet and move from DH to first base, it could impact a number of betting markets. Let's first look at the one directly tied to Devers himself.

💪 AL MVP odds

Live 2025 MLB MVP odds from our best MLB betting sites.

As you can see, you have to scroll way, way down to get to Devers' best MVP odds. And a big reason for that is because he's a full-time DH, and though he's been very good lately, his season-long stats still aren't exactly eye-popping.

However, if he moved to first base, he would get an immediate boost both in terms of playing a position and being willing to move to play said position. Therefore, these +25000 odds would be long gone.

I'm not saying I think Devers has a legitimate shot of winning AL MVP, regardless of whether he moves. I'm not sure anyone has a real chance of taking down Aaron Judge right now, and those players who do are a very select few. But if you're looking to take a flier on someone whose odds could shorten in a hurry, Devers represents one of the best candidates.

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🚀 AL Rookie of the Year odds

Live 2025 MLB Rookie of the Year odds via our best sports betting sites.

Now, though a Devers move to first would certainly improve his AL MVP odds, no price would shorten quicker than that for Roman Anthony to win AL Rookie of the Year. With the DH position freed up and Masataka Yoshida still injured, it'd likely be Anthony getting the call.

Anthony served as one of the three preseason favorites alongside New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez and Red Sox teammate Kristian Campbell until he was sent to Triple-A to begin the campaign. As a result, his odds are as long as +3500 compared to an opening price of +700.

Based on that, we have a good idea of where these odds will move should he get the call relatively soon. Of course, his chances to win the award lessen with each passing day, so we'd need some solid intel on a Devers move in the near future. But it's certainly worth a small wager now in case that does happen.

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💰 How to bet on the Red Sox

As I mentioned, there are multiple different approaches we can take to this saga. You could use it to squeeze from extra value on a Devers long-shot AL MVP bet, you could preemptively target Anthony's AL ROY odds in the hopes that he gets the call soon, or you can get creative.

🏆 World Series odds

Live 2025 World Series odds via our best sports betting apps.

Let's look at both sides of the coin when it comes to how a Devers move to first base would impact Boston's World Series odds.

First, the negative: if he moves and stinks, it could cost the Red Sox some wins. It could cost them enough wins that they miss the playoffs and never have a chance to play for the World Series.

That's obviously the worst-case scenario, and it's also entirely possible they miss the playoffs even if he doesn't move and the team finds an external replacement for Casas (who, for his part, was terrible this season anyway).

Option 2, though, is that he stinks only initially and ends up being at least decent at the position as the season progresses, and the Red Sox still make the postseason. Then, they'd have a capable first baseman who can actually hit - unlike Casas - for a playoff run, and it'd open up a spot in the lineup for another quality bat.

If we want to believe in the more optimistic approach, now is a good time to attack the Red Sox World Series odds.

Those +2200 odds represent a very solid price for a team backed by a front office not afraid to make moves ahead of the trade deadline, and they'll certainly shorten should Devers look capable at first or if the team gets a quality external option. Overall, I think this represents a good buy opportunity.

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