Red Sox are clearly on the outside looking in considering strength of schedule post ASB (hardest in MLB) and the downfall of the pitching (worst pen ERA in July and Aug). Unless the pitching turns around dramatically, it’s going to be insurmountable. Even if the pitching has positive regression, it will be very tough.
KC heavily invested in their team this offseason and really turned their club around. Boston didn’t and are going to have maybe a 4 win improvement over last year’s dismal team.