Holding a comfortable division lead late in the season allows teams to give a few players extra rest and set up their rotation for the postseason. An 8.5 game advantage for the best record in baseball offers the Boston Red Sox the luxury of beginning that playoff preparation a bit early.
The Red Sox will take advantage of their place in the standings and September roster expansion by giving their starting pitchers additional time off between appearances. Well, maybe not Eduardo Rodriguez. He already had a lengthy stint on the disabled list. Everyone else could use a break though.