The only pundits that really count are the ones that set odds in Vegas. I don't think the Sox were a longer shot than the Jays at the beginning of the year. Anyway, you are correct that the team didn't look great coming out of ST, but that's not an excuse. Theo didn't just run this team into the ground since July 31st. The process of running the current team into the ground has been a two year odyssey resulting from numerous bad moves and non-moves.