Yeah, I thought losing Francona would be the final nail in their coffin.
Prior years, it was easier to see it as an honest result because their starting pitching was so good. This year, it isn't as good. They have a bullpen, that across the board, is overused but still putting up elite numbers and their line-up is ridiculously top heavy.
I don't have any delusions that they will fall short of the AL Central crown. But it ends there for them. They're simply not as good as the Yankees, Orioles, or Mariners.