AL East Roundup: Blue Jays hanging in

Apr 15, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA;Baltimore Orioles third baseman

(center) celebrates with with teammates after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning against the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles continue to be that team that hovers around contention without having a existential superstar. The O’s opened the season taking two of three from the Tampa Bay Rays before dropping two of three to the Toronto Blue Jays. Like seemingly every team in the east, the Orioles also took two of three from the Yankees before splitting a four game series with the Red Sox and getting swept by the Blue Jays.

The Orioles 7-8 record isn’t astounding to say the least but it’s right where anyone would have predicted given their current -7 run differential. Leading the way is centerfielder Adam Jones who’s been as hot as anyone in the league with his .418/.468/764 slash and five home runs along with reborn right fielder Travis Snider who’s hit .310 to start off his first campaign in the AL East since being traded from Toronto in 2012.

Ubaldo Jiminez, in his first two starts this season, has been their best pitcher. His ERA is an ace-like 2.30 with a walk rate of four per nine innings, a mark he hasn’t touched since his 2013 season with the Cleveland Indians. If he can harness that control over the season, he may be a huge weapon for a very pedestrian like Orioles starting rotation.