How did the Phillies and Red Sox end up in such different places this season?
When teams broke camp at the end of March, the Red Sox and Phillies looked pretty similar. Each was playing in a seemingly deep division, picked by many to finish middle of the pack. Data-driven FiveThirtyEight.com predicted each club would finish 80-82 with identical 23 percent chances of making the playoffs. Their Opening Day payrolls  for luxury tax considerations  ranked fifth and sixth in the majors, according to Cots Baseball Contracts. Each team had its share of star power (Rafael Devers, Bryce Harper, Xander Bogaerts, J.T. Realmuto ) but also some uncertainty in the outfield, in the bullpen, at second base, at the back of the rotation.