The power of nine: with productive hitters from top to bottom, the Red Sox's lineup is taking aim on the record book--and on a place in the postseason.(Baseball)

By now you must be shaking your noggin over the Red Sox. Their lineup does little to invoke the legend of the '27 Yankees or the '76 Reds, but some way, somehow, the Sox are putting up numbers that are every bit as impressive.

In fact, if a record-breaking offense guaranteed a spot in the playoffs, Red Sox Nation already would be waving its pennants. With a month to go, Boston is one of four teams--along with the Yankees, A's and Mariners--chasing three playoff spots. The Red Sox are the sole contending team on pace to set a handful of single-season American League records, including highest slugging percentage, most total bases, most doubles, most players with ...