LAS VEGAS — Though the Red Sox have virtually clinched the American League East division already, betting markets still have the second-place Yankees high on the list of potential pennant and world championship contenders.
That may surprise skeptics. The Yankees have been badly outplayed by Boston in recent weeks. That includes a four-game series sweep at Fenway. Worse, as a wild card, the Yankees probably would have to beat the Athletics or Mariners in a one-game showdown just to earn a spot in a best-of-five series against … the Red Sox! Boston is the clear front-runner for the No.