Why The Red Sox Will Win The AL East
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by Aharner
This is why the Boston Red Sox will win the AL East:
First and foremost is pitching. The Red Sox lead the American League in ERA (3.79), wins (72), opponent batting average (.249), and are tied for the lead in shutouts (10). They also sit second to Tampa Bay in strikeouts with 842 and Detroit in saves with 35.
Their closest competition for the division doesn't have quite as impressive numbers. The New York Yankees sit 5.5 games out right now, but don't have near the pitching power of the Red Sox. New York sits seventh in ERA (4.42), seventh in opponent batting average (.271), and last in saves (19).
Now on the offensive side, the Yankees do hold the edge. They lead the league in runs scored (715), batting average (.291), and home runs (149). Boston has has some firepower with the bats sitting third in runs (613), fifth in average (.277), and ninth in home runs (116). And these two teams sit on top of the AL's on-base percentage list; separated by just .006.
Another thing Boston has going for them is the schedule. The Yankees face Detroit six more times, Seattle three more times, Los Angeles three times, and Boston six more times. On top of that they also face Baltimore, a team that has gone 8-4 against them this year, six times.
Boston's schedule looks a lot more appealing to the eye. Outside of the Yankees, the only good teams they face are Minnesota and Toronto. And the only team they play that has a winning record against them this season is Oakland and that is a two game series.
Now I understand that Boston has been struggling of late, but I also remember when they lit up the league at the beginning of the season. That team can come back at any time especially considering the easy road ahead.
The Yankees, on the other hand, have been surging. But, they have lost three in a row and their next nine games are against Detroit and Los Angeles (both teams with better records). And with GM Brian Cashman's recent remarks about not retaining Alex Rodriguez shall he opt out, the New York media has another distraction they can play with.
