If you are the Boston Red Sox, you want to finish the regular season with the best record in the American League. Why you ask? The team with the best record gets to choose their playoff schedule for the Division Series. Their choices would be a 7 day or 8 day schedule.
The 8 day schedule provides the best advantage. It would allow you to throw your top 2 starters twice and on regular rest. Although that can be disadvantage if the team you are playing has good pitching.
Here is a look at both schedules:
| Date | Series A | Series B |
| October 3 | Game 1 | |
| October 4 | Game 1 | |
| October 5 | Game 2 | Game 2 |
| October 6 | ||
| October 7 | Game 3 | Game 3 |
| October 8 | Game 4, if necessary | Game 4, if necessary |
| October 9 | ||
| October 10 | Game 5, if necessary | Game 5, if necessary |
If the records hold as they are now, the Red Sox would host the Indians and the Yankees would head to Anaheim. So if you’re the Red Sox, which one do you choose?
Once the team clinches the best record, they will have one hour to choose which schedule they want.
