KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Dave O’Brien, the longtime play-by-play voice of the Boston Red Sox on NESN, joined WKBK’s “Good Morning with Dan Mitchell” on Monday to preview the upcoming Major League Baseball season, offering a mix of optimism, analysis and perspective from spring training in Florida.

Broadcasting from Fort Myers, O’Brien said Opening Day is fast approaching and described the start of each season as “the beginning of a story,” noting this will mark roughly his 37th year calling professional baseball.

Renewed Optimism After Uneven Offseason

Despite early offseason frustrations — including missed opportunities in free agency — O’Brien said the outlook for Boston has improved significantly in recent months. He pointed to a shift in perception around the team, driven largely by key additions and emerging young talent.

One of the biggest storylines, he said, is the rise of top prospect Roman Anthony, who has impressed during international play and spring training.

O’Brien compared Anthony’s potential impact to that of former Red Sox great Fred Lynn, highlighting his size, power and ability to become a major offensive force at a young age.

“He’s becoming the talk of the baseball world,” O’Brien said, adding that if Anthony performs as expected, Boston could exceed expectations this season.

Pitching Could Be Team’s Biggest Strength

While the Red Sox may lack a traditional power-heavy lineup, O’Brien emphasized that the team’s pitching staff could be among the best in the American League — and possibly all of baseball.

He highlighted ace Garrett Crochet as a potential Cy Young contender, along with offseason additions like Sonny Gray and Ranger Suarez.

“That rotation has a lot of different looks,” O’Brien said, noting a mix of power arms and finesse pitchers could make Boston especially difficult to face.

He added that a strong starting rotation should help ease pressure on the bullpen, which he described as “pretty solid,” anchored by veteran closer Aroldis Chapman.

Defense and Fundamentals a Key Focus

After struggling defensively in recent seasons, O’Brien said the Red Sox are making a concerted effort to improve in the field — a necessity given their pitching-first approach.

He cited upgrades across the infield and praised the team’s outfield, calling it one of the best in baseball. He singled out Ceddanne Rafaela as an elite defender, suggesting he could become a perennial Gold Glove winner.

“Defense has to match the pitching,” O’Brien said. “That’s how they’re going to win games.”

Competitive Division Ahead

Looking at the broader picture, O’Brien described the American League East as “brutal,” with the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles all expected to contend.

He said it wouldn’t be surprising to see multiple playoff teams emerge from the division.

Rule Changes and Global Growth

O’Brien also weighed in on MLB’s new automated ball-strike challenge system, saying he supports the technology despite concerns it could slightly slow the pace of play.

Beyond MLB, he praised the impact of the World Baseball Classic, saying it has helped build excitement for the sport globally and showcase emerging stars before the regular season begins.

Confidence Inside the Clubhouse

Perhaps most notably, O’Brien said the confidence within the Red Sox clubhouse is high, with players openly discussing postseason aspirations.

“There’s a belief they can win it all,” he said.

Whether that confidence translates into a playoff run remains to be seen, but with improved pitching, stronger defense and rising young talent, O’Brien suggested Boston could be one of the more intriguing teams to watch this season.

Listen to the full interview: