Would not count out NYY just yet, their RD about even, so RSox have had some luck on their side.  Problem with relying on luck, it's fleeting.

Sale gives RSox an advantage; NYY dealing with some injuries, would call the 2 teams even, maybe a very small advantage to RSox.  You wanna avoid WC game, winner-take-all format, if possible, especially if you are RSox, would mean they'd hafta use Sale in WC game, which they'd probably win, but then only have him to pitch 1 game in the subsequent best-of-5.  Not good.