The Boston Red Sox have soared through their first season under Manager Alex Cora, rolling into September with the best record in baseball. But as the postseason approaches, it brings a fresh puzzle for the rookie manager.
Even with a comfortable lead atop the American League East, the Red Sox and Cora must sort out their priorities over the remaining regular season games — and that may have a big effect on the Yankees’ own playoff aspirations.
Cora knows he must balance the need to rest his best players ahead of the playoffs with another, more nuanced goal: forcing the Yankees — a possible playoff opponent — into a situation where they must use their best players and pitchers on the final weekend of the season.