Forget the Joba rules. MLB's new Division Series playoff rules could be the real difference maker in the playoffs.

If the Red Sox finish with the best record in the American League, they will be able to choose which playoff schedule they participate in for the opening Division Series, according to a report in today's New York Post.

The Post reports that the AL regular-season champion will be given the choice of whether to play Division Series A, in which the five potential games are slated to be played in a seven-day span beginning on Thurs, Oct. 4; or in Division Series B, in which the five games are scheduled to be played over an eight-day span.

Here's how the Red Sox could hurt the Yankees under this new MLB rule, according the Post report:

The seven-day series features two sets of back-to-back games, with off-days for travel scheduled between Games 2 and 3 and between Games 4 and 5. The eight-day series features only one set of back-to-back games (Games 3 and 4), with off-days scheduled between Games 1 and 2, another between Games 2 and 3, and still another between Games 4 and 5.

Yes, of course, Theo Epstein and Terry Francona are foremost concerned with their own Boston team. But is it such a stretch to think that the Red Sox, who went into last night leading the Angels by 2½ and the Indians by 3½ for the league's best record, wouldn't jump at the chance to play the eight-day series if for no other reason than to require the Yankees to play the seven-day series so Joba Chamberlain would only be available for three games, instead of the four in which he'd be allowed to pitch in the extended version?