AL East Round Up: Report Card Edition: Offense and Defense

Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

We are one month into the season. The teacher in me is itching for summer. Now might be as good a time as any to incorporate my “teacher skills” into my work here at Jays Journal. This week’s AL East Round up will provide a grade for each team’s performance over the first 4 weeks of the 2014 season. I’ll continue with this each month and provide a year end report card too! I’m going to warn you: I’ve been told I’m a generous marker. Let’s see if that holds true.

For the sake of simplicity, I’ve broken down each team into 4 parts: Offense, Defense and I’ll have a separate post for Starters and Bullpen. I’ll be marking on a letter grade system. I’ll provide you with a justification as well. And, for all of you in the teaching loop, there is no set rubric or scoring guide being used. I’m going with my gut, my whimsy, my delusions. Since I’m the one writing, you’ll just have to accept that. As Adam Sandler said in the Wedding Singer: “I have the microphone, so you will listen to everything I have to say!” Having said that, feel free to leave your comments below. I never have a problem arguing grades.

Here we go!

Standings:

NY Yankees    14-10
Baltimore Orioles   12-11   1.5 GB
Boston Red Sox   12-13    2.5 GB
Tamp Bay Rays    11-13   3 GB
Toronto Blue Jays   11-13    3GB

*NOTE: All stats from BaseballReference.com*