Picking the division winners

With all these pennant-relevant games, the question comes up, "OK, Professor, who's going to win these things?" I'm not actually a professor (you mean that was sarcastic?), but I'll do the best I can ...

AL East: Yankees
Why? Not because the Yankees are appreciably better than the Red Sox. They're not. The Yanks and Sox have played practically the same number of games, and their run differentials are practically identical. So why are the Yankees 6½ games ahead of the Red Sox? Mostly because the Yankees are 13-7 in one-run games, while the Red Sox are just 5-8.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Already an Insider? Sign in below:

• Username
• Password
• Sign In with Facebook

• ESPN The Magazine subscribers

  Activate your Insider account »

• Need more information?

  View Insider Benefits »

... or become an today

• 1 Year Membership - $3.33 a month

  Includes a 1 YEAR subscription to ESPN The Magazine - Over 62% off the monthly price!

• 2 Year Membership - $2.50 a month

  Includes a 2 YEAR subscription to ESPN The Magazine - Over 72% off the monthly price!

• Monthly Membership - $8.95 a month
• 

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Email
• Subscribe