AL East Round-Up

Oct 8, 2013; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; The Red Sox celebrate after their ALDS win over the Rays. The Sox meet the Tigers in the ALCS. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Red Sox moved on to the next stage of the MLB Playoffs this week after defeating the Rays 3-1 to take the best of 5 series, 3 games to 1.  Sure, I could gush and go on about how the AL East is still alive, but honestly, it’s not Toronto, so who cares right?  Best of luck.  Hopefully they’ll get more hits tonight or some junk like that.  So, LET’S DO THIS!

Boston Red Sox: (RECAP) As mentioned not even five lines ago, the Red Sox won their series against Tampa Bay.  Last night was Game 1 of the ALCS against the Detroit Tigers in Boston and Mike Salk of 93.7 WEEI said he was not scared of the Tigers’ Anibal Sanchez.  Sanchez would spot the Red Sox a runner on base in all 6 innings he pitched, but would strikeout 2 for every 1 batter he walked.  Yes sir (ma’am?)!  You read that right.  6 IP 6 BB 12 K… NO HITS.  Then the Tigers bullpen took over.  The combination of Al Alburquerque (who puts 2 Q’s in their name?  Come on man!), Jose Veras, and Drew Smyly shut the Sox down for two more innings.  Joaquin Benoit came into the game in the 9th and surrendered the lone Red Sox hit to Daniel Nava, but that would be all.  Jon Lester and the Red Sox bullpen would keep it close throughout the game, allowing only 1 run, but that was all the Tigers needed to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

NEWS & NOTES: None of significance.  Sorry.

Baltimore Orioles: (NEWS) 3B Manny Machado underwent surgery this week to repair his left knee.  He tore his medial patellofemoral ligament back on September 23rd.  He had played in every game prior to the injury for the Orioles.  He faces 4 to 6 months of rehab.  1B Chris Davis was named (surprise surprise) Oriole Team MVP.  The Louis M. Hatter Award is decided by members of Baltimore media that cover the team throughout the season.  This may be the first of many awards Davis should receive this off-season.  OF Nolan Reimold underwent surgery to fix issues that re-occurred after spinal surgery from 2012. The 2012 surgery was not as successful as hoped.  He’s not expected to be ready for Spring Training.  With 2B Brian Roberts set to become a free agent, speculation is the Orioles will let him go in favour of 2B Jonathan Schoop.  The Orioles’ top prospect demonstrated he may just be ready for The Show as he made quite an impression the final week of the season: .286/.333/.500 in 14 ABs, including 1 HR and 1 RBI.  He did also make 1 E in the field on only 21 chances.

New York Yankees: (NEWS) The Yankees deflated the hopes and dreams of Chicago natives everywhere by Joe Girardi and the New York Yankees agree to new four-year contract” href=”http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/joe-girardi-york-yankees-agree-four-contract-191631141–mlb.html”>re-signing manager Joe Girardi to a 4 year contract, worth $16 million.  The deal also includes team performance bonuses.  Sorry Jays fans, but if Toronto plans on getting Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, they’re going to be competing with the Yankees.  ESPN Blogger Andrew Marchand believes that the Yankees are expected to make a bid upwards of around $60 million just for negotiating rights for the 24 year old pitcher.  There is a poll in Marchand’s article.  Feel free to click “No.”

Tampa Bay Rays: (NEWS) RHP David Price believes he will be traded this off-season.  I know this belief makes AT LEAST one Rays fan happy (there is more than one… not too many more though).  Price believes based off of how the Rays system works, he’s at the end of his time in Tampa Bay.  Rays management has not announced anything official as of yet.  The Bleacher Report came out with a “Complete” Off-season Guide including predictions for Tampa Bay.  The payroll breakdown combined with poor attendance for a team that’s winning may further confirm that Price could be on his way out.  OF David DeJesus, in this guide, is expected to be re-signed and possibly traded away.  While I don’t entirely agree with the speculative players that may be brought in to fill Rays holes, it’s still a good read and worth a look for any fan.  Also, Rays Colored Glasses on Fansided.com has been excellent on staying on top of Rays news.  I’m a particular fan of Dave Hill‘s and Robbie Knopf’s articles.