The Red Sox have clinched a postseason berth and are set to face the Yankees in the AL Wild Card round. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that one MLB executive predicts Boston will win the AL pennant, citing its recent offense, pitching and a comparatively favorable route.
Passan says one evaluator judged Boston’s offense the best in the AL since the All-Star break. He also reports the Red Sox lead MLB in fielding independent pitching (FIP), a predictive metric he says points to continued strong pitching.
Passan describes the American League route as easier than the National League’s. If Boston advances past the Yankees, the article says it would face Tampa Bay in the ALDS; a possible ALCS opponent after that could be Cleveland, Chicago or the AL West winner.
