this is where I think playing in a weak division hurts the Sox. The Sox have the talent to hang with the playoff teams in the AL if the schedule allowed to play them on a regular basis.
those additional ABs vs quality pitching (where adjustments could be made to prepare them for the playoffs) just aren't available in large enough sample sizes due to only facing the best teams twice a year
HOU 6gms, NYY 6gms, BOS 7gms, TB 6gms, TOR 7gms
That's 32 games out of 162, which breaks down to a mere 19.7% of the season to prepare for playoff teams, it's almost an unfair disadvantage to play in such a weak division. You lock up your seed easily but then get ice water poured on you once you see the more battle hardened teams in October