I like posting about the Sox because:
A) Nothing like seeing your old predictions in print, right or wrong.
B) I like baseball (It's a bit obvious, isn't!)
C) It's nice to post something local, but not real estate related every once in a while.
After last nights big win against Toronto, the Sox have a look of a team poised to go to the playoffs, but the gap that remains to be covered is significant. With both the Yanks and the Rays scuffling a bit (4 wins in their last 10) and the Sox starting to put things together (6-4 in the last 10), I'm going to go out on a limb and say they make it. Bottom line is the Sox are getting healthier and their pitching looks like its going to go on quite a roll. V-Mart is heating up, Ellsbury is showing signs of life (and he will make a monster difference at the top), and Pedroia will return soon. Can't tell me that Pedroia over who ever is playing on second isn't a huge upgrade, and that's no offense to Bill Hall, who usually mans the spot, and has been the 10th man on this team. But Hall is no former MVP, and Pedroia is a true threat to any pitcher, almost any time.
Most people would say that the Rays will be the odd team out, but I think it is possible that the Yankees could be at risk. Although busy at the trade deadline, the Yankees really picked up a bunch of guys who probably can't help them much, and tie up their roster, reducing their flexibility down the stretch. Lance Berkman is having a terrible year - he can only hit from the left side - relative to years past, and I'm not even sure in the brutal AL East he's a quality platoon player. (not surprised by his 2- for 20 start with the Yanks, expect more scuffling). Granderson has certainly had some grand years, but isn't the threat he was. And pitching wise, they've had some guys go cold this year, real bad. If they get into a stretch where they NEED wins from Vasquez, Burnett, and Hughes, I'm not sure they'll answer the call. Rivera, Jeter, Petite, and Posada are all playing well - despite their AARP status - but is it the same team if even ONE of them goes down? Or Two? No one wants anything to happen to other players, but as players get older, they tend to tweak stuff, if not outright break it. Or they could just get tired, it's a hell of a marathon at that age. Even if everyone stays on the field, close looks show the Yanks aren't the same team. Jeter's OPS of .737 is first in the AL (qualified), and sixth overall, but this is a player who has a CAREER OPS of .840. So, Wow. Posada and A-Rod aren't the threats we're use to seeing with solid (if unspectacular) OPS in the low 800s (.812 and .808 respectively). And lets try to remember the Yanks play in a bit of a band box in the new stadium (Thankfully, not like last year, but it's no pitchers park...)
So that's the call: Sox get in, someone else gets the WC, but I think the division is close at the end: No more than 2 games difference top to bottom. I exepct the Yankees to come back to the pack.
