There are those in the blogosphere who now confidently predict that—based on their .611 winning percentage—the Sox will amass 99 wins. Don't you hate that kind of projection? It means absolutely nothing.Having said that, it is kind of fun to play the percentages as we approach the start of the unofficial second half of the season (actually, only 72 games remain).
So, if the red flags on the Red Sox horizon continue to wave and/or more fully flutter (starting pitching injuries, lousy RF production, weak SS defense, Carl Crawford funk), they might play .500 ball the rest of the year, right? Even that scenario gives them 91 wins—probably enough to seriously contend for the Wild Card.
The Carmine Hose would have to collapse like—well, like they did in the first 12 games of the year—to finish out of the post-season. It could happen, but with one of the few offenses in baseball that is clicking on most cylinders, it seems much more likely that we will be enjoying Games 1 and 2 of the World Series in Philly come October.