3. Red Sox win another division title
The Red Sox have cooled off slightly after their 17-2 start, but maintain their grip on first place in the AL East. Right behind them by a game, the Yankees have been just as impossibly hot, winning 15 of 16. This race will be a dogfight all the way to the end.
Both the Red Sox 17-2 start and the Yankees current stretch of 15 wins in 16 tries are not sustainable, but both teams do have the talent to string together two-week stretches like this. Throw in a few games against the league’s rebuilders, and it’s easy to win nine of ten. The gap between the contenders and the bottom feeders has never been wider.
Boston has won two division titles in a row, and did so with entirely different approaches each season. The 2016 team, led by David Ortiz’s last hurrah, was the best offense in the league. Last year’s team scored barely enough runs but got superior pitching. Now, the Red Sox have the best of both worlds with the offense roaring back to life with J.D. Martinez in the middle of the lineup.
The Red Sox have the edge in the starting rotation, and their lineup is less prone to slumps. The Yankees have the superior bullpen, but Joe Kelly and Craig Kimbrel can match up with anyone. The Red Sox will come out on top, just ahead of the Yankees.