You mentioned the Sox got Tampa and Kansas City. Well that has not helped. They actually play better against better teams, much like your Yankees. Thats good and bad. Its bad because they cant afford to lose to anybody and they need to stay within 2 games of the Yankees until they meet head to head next weekend. Its good because teams that rise to the level of their competition are the teams that are real World Series contenders.
Look at the last decade Mike. Teams that have won the World Series- White Sox, Red Sox, Yankees, D Backs, Angels and Marlins. All teams that played exceptionally well against division rivals who were chasing them, yet at times struggled with some of the lower rated teams.
A perfect example of what I mean is a team like the Mets this year. They sort of remind me of the Cardinals from the last 2 years and the Mariners from 2001. They absolutely destroy the weak teams but struggle with the top teams. To me they are going to have a very tough time getting out of round one of the playoffs. Another team, but not as drastic are the Tigers. To me they are a team bound for a first round exit in the postseason.
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