http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/red-sox/post/_/id/21651/valentine-thinks-sox-are-playoff-team

63% of ESPN readers think the Red Sox have no shot at the playoffs. The article mentions them being 9 games out of first place (now 10)

And yet the 7 game out Angels are considered by many to be World Series favorites. Why??

angels look like they will get the wild card
the have a great 1,2,3 in weaver grienke wilson (well at least on paper), which is what you need in the playoffs

But i dont think they are considered the favorites......but they do have a much better chance then the red sox (not even looking like a wild card)

One player: Mike Trout. One player does not make a team, no matter how much hype you put on him. If the Angels' rotation can sort out its recent problems, then they could make a run at a wildcard spot. But it would take a downfall by the Rangers and an incredible surge by the Angels for them to win the division. Funny how the media works.

I don't think very many are still thinking the Angels are still in the hunt for a WS win. Heck right now they will be lucky to make the wildcard!

i know there is good reason to believe in the Angels much more than the Sox. just sayin it's ironic how they're not too far apart. the Red sox have the second most runs scored in the league, with injuries all over. they could and should be much better as well

One player does change a team. The Rangers are much more dangerous with a good Josh Hamilton. All of a sudden you have to pitch to Kinsler and Andrus. You give better opportunities for Beltre and Cruz. 1 good hitter can change a lineup. 1 good pitcher can effect 20% off games but some pitchers can effect all of them, Cliff Lee 2010.
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Right now no one scares me but in the playoffs there is 1 team I don't want to face, 1 team which can change our destiny, 1 team that we may not be able to beat in 5 or 7, that team is the Angels.

This recently from Halos Heaven (extremely entertaining!!):

"The fat lady has not sung but we have not been stocking up on Jenny Craig for her. No way Texas plays worse than .500 and no way we play .500+8 games, we cannot count on the federal reserve to deliver deflation to us how can we count on the Angels even taking advantage if the Rangers were to do so.

The Angel-bashers are emboldened with talk of a Miguel Cabrera MVP award over Mike Trout. They have brought Justin Verlander back into the Cy Young conversation based on how many pitches he has thrown this season (because his inferior stats don't stand near Jered Weaver). Next week I expect Yu Darvish to re-enter the Rookie of the Year discussion because of his excellent composure while walking two batters an inning.

So maybe the playoffs are not entirely out of reach, but it is time to get a little realistic with what is going on as the team spirals down, down, down..."

With the new WC rules and seeding, I foresee a possible scenario for a couple of teams that get(TB or LAA) or stay(OAK) red-hot and have a distinct advantage in going all the way between momentum, HFA, and SP.