AL East Round-Up: Saddle Up Edition

The Dirty Blue Birds will need to go NINJA this week if they plan on cutting down that 15.5 game lead in the AL East. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Without getting too much into the Blue Jays week (that comes later, with a better writer than I), the Jays had a relatively productive week.  So let’s have a gander at the rest of the AL LEast and see what they have been up to.  I know… I know…  Who cares?  Hey, we have to do it though.  Plus it’s a great way to take some cheap shots!  LET’S DO THIS

Boston Red Sox: (RECAP) Boston had a relatively harmless week, going 3-3.  First, they got to face off against MLB’s AAA club Houston Astros.  Boston actually dropped 1 game to the ‘Stros, but it was because Brett Olberholtzer blacked out for 7 innings and pitched like a major leaguer (expect the Astros to trade him soon.)  Unfortunately, as good as the Red Sox have been this season, they had to stop out in KC and face a very hot Royals team, dropping the first 2 games (Yay!) before losing last night (Crap!)  They finish up the series tonight before they go visit the Dirty Blue Birds in Toronto. (NEWS & NOTES) No Red Sox starting pitcher won a decision this week.  Jon Lester and John Lackey both took losses.  Daniel Nava went on paternity leave but never fear Jays fans!  Mr.Clutch returned, wouldn’t you know it, right before the Red Sux-Jays series tomorrow.  The Steven Wright experiment went well, as he lasted 1 inning, giving up 3 runs.  He started the game.  He immediately got optioned back to AAA Pawtucket.  RHP Brandon Workman was recalled (should have never been sent down.)  LHP Franklin Morales has been activated from the DL.  IF Brandon Snyder got sent to the 15-DL, prompting the Red Sox to call up 3B Will Middlebrooks.  If his name sounds familiar, it should.  He kills Toronto pitching and if it’s one thing Toronto has proven this week, it’s that they know how to fix a struggling hitter (see J.J. Reddick)

Tampa Bay Rays: (RECAP) The Rays had a miserable week, even WITH pulling off the hidden ball trick.  Rays baseball went 1-4 out west.  The Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers, the Dodgers in particular, have been playing great baseball lately and that slowed down a depleted Rays team.  With Matt Moore, Alex Cobb, and now possibly Chris Archer missing, this losing thing was bound to happen.  The Rays are now 3 GB in the AL East, but still hold the Wild Card spot by 1 game.  Fear not Rays fans!  The Blue Jays come to the Trop this week, which is usually just what the doctor ordered for Tampa Bay to turn itself around.  (NEWS & NOTES) CF Desmond Jennings was placed on the 15-DL.  OF Jason Bourgeois was called up to replace him.  Alex Cobb is set to be activated from the DL this Thursday against the Mariners.  Jays dodged a bullet there.  Matt Moore is expected to throw off a mound today.  It’s not clear whether he may need a rehab start.  Either way, expect to see him against Toronto.  RP Kyle Farnsworth was released.  I expect AA to sign and send Farnsworth to Buffalo since they’re trying to build a winner down there.

Baltimore Orioles: (RECAP) Joining Toronto out west, the Orioles went interleague, dealing with the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres.  Only playing 4 games due to the west coast trip, the Borioles went 3-1 and managed to stay 5.5 GB of Boston and 1.5 for the 2nd Wild Card spot.  Since bringing over Bud Norris from the Astros, he’s won both his starts.  He starts tonight to finish off the Giants. (NEWS & NOTES) Pretty boring week for the Borioles.  No surprise there.  2B Brian Roberts was activated from the paternity list, only to injury himself boarding a plane to head out west.  I’m just making that up, but honestly, would it surprise anybody?  Chris Davis HULK SMASH’d his way to his 41st and 42nd HRs, which is best in the majors.  There should be little doubt as to who the AL MVP is this season.  IF Wilson Betemit started a rehab assignment.  Danny Valencia got sent to go drink beers with US Marines down in AAA Norfolk.

New York Yankees: (RECAP) Suspended steroid abusing cheater Alex Rodriguez finagled his way back to the MLB on appeal and returned to the Stankees this week.  Jays fans rejoiced as his return did absolutely nothing for the Yankees.  New York went 1-5 and had to face the embarrassment that comes with getting swept by the Chicago White Sox (2nd worst team in AL.)  As if Rodriguez’s return wasn’t embarrassing enough.  The week doesn’t get any prettier for the Yanks as they finish up their series tonight against the Detroit Tigers and follow it up with the Anaheim Angels and Red Sox.  (NEWS & NOTES) SS Derek Jeter decided to challenge Brian Roberts’ title of King of the DL by making his way back onto it with a calf strain.  There is no timetable set for his return.  Fellow “cheater” C Francisco Cervelli accepted his MLB punishment of 50 games and was placed on the Restricted List.  NYY lost LF Thomas Neal off waivers to the Chicago Cubs.  Brent Lillibridge was DFA’d and since Anthopoulos didn’t want him for his “winner” in Buffalo, Lillibridge was sent to AAA Scranton.