You are taking a short view if this for 2 reasons. 1. Rest isn't always Physical many young ayers need to mental break as issues can snowball and create slumps. 2. The advantage if having a big division lead is the Sox can rest their players now so they don't need to rest them at the end of the season and can go into the postseason on a roll, while the other team may be cold from resting at that time.