AL East Round Up: What’s Left Edition

Welcome to the AL East Round Up. It’s hard to believe, but the 2014 season is winding down. The “toughest division in sports” has not really lived up to its name. The Orioles have all but sealed up their AL East pennant. The Blue Jays have a WAY outside shot of grabbing the second Wild Card spot while the rest of the division is going to have to wait until next year. Yes, even the New York Yankees who sit just a game behind the Blue Jays have too far to go to make the post season this year.

For this week’s AL East Round Up, I thought we’d look at what’s left for fans to get excited about.

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Why watch? Why follow? If the season is coming to its disappointing end for most teams, what reasons do fans have to get excited?

AL East Standings:

Baltimore Orioles 88-60
Toronto Blue Jays 77-70 10.5GB
New York Yankees 76-71 11.5 GB
Tampa Bay Rays 71-78 17.5 GB
Boston Red Sox 65-84 23.5 GB

Baltimore Orioles

OK, this one is a bit of a gimmie.

Sep 13, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman

(28) celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning against the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Yankees won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

If Oriole fans need me to point out the reason why they should still be excited for this team, nothing I say will work. But, just to hold this thing together, let’s look at it anyway. The Orioles have a commanding lead in the AL East. Now, it is possible for them to have an epic collapse, I suppose. If they lose 10 in a row and Toronto wins 10, we’re looking at a suddenly very interesting picture. But, possible and plausible are two different things. The Orioles won’t lose 10 in a row and with 14 games remaining, they are a virtual lock to win their first pennant since 1997.

But, just in case you need some reasons other than the post season to stay interested in the Orioles. How about the following:

Chris Davis has been suspended for using Adderall; something that he has had permission to use in the past. His 25 game suspension means that it is his 2nd violation. With Davis set to miss the rest of the season and 8 games of the post season (assuming the O’s take it that far), it will be very interesting to see who steps up for the club. They are already without Manny Machado and Matt Wieters. Losing 3 of their best players would hurt any team, especially at this time of year. Yet Baltimore has managed to keep rolling.

MLB.com’s Brittany Ghiroli tells us who will have to step up for the O’s. She points to the obvious, Nelson Cruz. Can he continue his season of retribution and carry this team? She also mentions the late additions of Kelly Johnson and Alejandro De Aza. I guess, this will be a true test as to whether those were good pick us or not. For me, though, there is one guy who stands out. As an outsider, it is hard for me to see anyone having a gutsy, grind mentality and impact than Steve Pearce.

Pearce is having a break out year. He is batting .287 with 16 home runs and 39 RBI. He is worth 5.0 WAR. Not bad for a guy who the Orioles were willing to part ways with earlier this year. Look for him to play a huge role for the rest of this month and possibly into the play offs.

Toronto Blue Jays

Sep 2, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays outfielder

(45) in the dugout against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Blue Jays are playing meaningful games in September. That alone is reason enough for fans to keep watching. It has been too long that we’ve been whining that the Jays have been out of it by the time September rolls around. That is not the case this year. They are 4 games out of a Wild Card spot. Their playoff probability has even gone up to 2.6%. I’ve already explained why fans should be happy with how this season has gone. So, possibly contending this late in the season not enough for ya? Well, let’s look at what’s left to be excited about.

Betsided

Marcus Stroman. The Blue Jays rookie is 10-5 with a 3.61 ERA. I know we were all very excited for him to make his debut this season, but I’m not so sure we expected him to do so well. And, even with the club deciding to push his next start up a day to Monday (against the Orioles) to give him an extra day of rest, he’ll get 2-3 more starts this season. Every time out, Stroman provides an exciting show, a #StroShow, if you will. The future is bright for the 23 year old.

Speaking of young guys. How about Dalton Pompey? After rocketing through the minor league system, the September call up is perhaps the future of the outfield for the Blue Jays. He’s a switch hitter who brings speed and defense. Yes, please. Depending on just how “in it” the club finds itself we could see much more of the 21 year old Canadian. Pompey has already picked up his first career RBI in an at bat against the Cubs. How many more firsts will he collect this September?

Other questions that can be answered this September: Will Casey Janssen return to form and earn a return to Toronto? Will Colby Rasmus get any playing time? Will J.A. Happ continue to impress? How many highlight plays will Ryan Goins provide? Will he actually hit? Just how many home runs will Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion combine for?

Tamp Bay Rays

The mighty Rays have been out of contention for a while. That isn’t really good considering their fans don’t really pay attention at the best of times. With no hopes of reaching the post season and the team trading away its best player in David Price, what is left for the mildly interested fanbase to get excited about?

Well, they have a bright young rookie that could be a big contributor for them next season and beyond. Nathan Karns came to the Rays in the  Jose Lobaton deal with the Nationals. Friday night he made his debut against the Blue Jays and went 7 shut out innings. He only allowed 2 hits. I know, I know, it is one start. But, the rest of September will allow him a couple more chances to open some eyes. Fans should be watching his starts.

Rays’ manager, Joe Maddon believes that Yunel Escobar needs to have a strong September to go into the off season in a healthy frame of mind. Can he, though? Well, Thursday, he went deep twice in Yankee stadium. That’ll help. Fans should watch to see if Escobar can improve on a fairly pedestrian, yet typical, Yunel Escobar season.

And then, Bill Chastain at MLB.com tells us that Maddon is stressing to his players the importance of professionalism after being eliminated from the post season race. And, while Maddon is a pro’s pro at the helm, I’m just wondering if that professionalism request will change anything on the field. Will they approach their remaining games in a  different manner than they did in May or June? Maybe that is the message. Play like you are in it. Will the Rays do that? Or, will they play with a “what’s the point” mentality?

Boston Red Sox

There really is not much to be happy about in Bean Town this September. The Red Sox have been eliminated from the post season race. Not that they were really in it. But, now it is official. Apparently, David Ortiz and Mike Napoli are playing with injuries. And, in case you’re wondering, no, it is not their ego. Napoli is still feeling the effects of dislocating his finger in April. And Big Papi has a sore foot. Oh, and Dustin Pedroia just had wrist surgery. So, the big boys are hurt. There is no Jon Lester. What is left for the Red Sox?

Sep 6, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder

(50) makes a diving catch during the eighth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Mookie Betts. When he first came up, he manned center field. And, he did so with impressive speed and ability. Now, with Pedroia out, Betts will actually move back to his natural position, second base. The fact that he is a natural second baseman makes his play in center that much more impressive. The 21 year old is not looking lost at the plate, either. Unlike Jackie Bradley Jr, Betts has been able to hold his own. He’s slashing .283/.357/.442 with 4 home runs and 12 RBI in 39 games. He’s also chipped in 5 stolen bases. The rest of September should solidify his place on the Red Sox roster.

And, the big one: Rusney Castillo is on his way. The Cuban slugger that the Red Sox managed to sign for $72.5M made a stop in AAA. But, he could make an appearance at Fenway Park this September. With a Betts moving to 2nd, look for Castillo to take his place in CF. He’ll join fellow Cuban Yoenis Cespedes. That should make for a pretty potent duo for not only next season, but the remainder of September.