Kansas City Royals: Postseason Picture Update

AL East leader

Boston Red Sox

Overall record (through Sunday): 63-49

Last week: 6-0

This week: Off Monday; at Tampa Bay Rays (Tue.-Wed.); off Thursday; at New York Yankees (Fri.-Sun.)

The Red Sox had the only perfect week in the American League.

Four games against what is essentially the White Sox’s AAA team always helps (the Kansas City Royals are certainly hoping that’s the case this weekend), but this team has a lot to prove this coming week.

After a mostly quiet trade deadline, aside from adding Addison Reed, Boston will have to hold off New York to capture the East Division crown.

Three games against the Yankees will bring a close to an unusual week for the Red Sox. Two games in Tampa Bay sandwiched between days off on Monday and Thursday should give Boston plenty of rest for this weekend’s pivotal series.

Don’t expect another perfect week from the Red Sox. Barring a complete collapse, though, Boston will be back in this spot next Monday.