Red Sox: Five keys to a successful 2017 MLB postseason

With just 2 weeks left to go in the 2017 season, we take a look at what needs to go right for these Red Sox as they head into October.

Twelve games are all that’s left between the Boston Red Sox and postseason play for the second consecutive year. As it stands, with their three-game lead over the New York Yankees in the AL East and a magic number of 10, the 2017 Red Sox look likely to defend their division crown by seasons end.

This year, John Farrell‘s men have gone about their business far differently than they did when they took home the division title 12 months prior. While the 2016 edition of Boston’s team smashed their way to 93 wins and a league-high 878 runs scored, this year’s group lacked such a punch and relied on their opportunistic base running, the bullpen, and a powerful 1-2 punch in the starting rotation to put themselves in such an enviable position.

As October draws closer, it’s fair to see the Red Sox as the lesser of the three AL division winners. With the Indians high off their historic 22 game win streak and the Astros late August addition of Justin Verlander, it would seem as though the Red Sox will be the overlooked team.

However, while the two teams that stand between Boston and the American League crown are wildly talented and carry deep rosters in their own rights, we’re here today to make a case for why the Red Sox should be the team to look out for in the postseason and what needs to happen for  this group to make a deep run into October.