AL East Roundup: Blue Jays hanging in

Apr 16, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Tampa Bay Rays celebrate the win against Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.Rays beat Blue Jays 4-2, Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports

Tampa Bay Rays 

The Rays are pretty much where everyone expected them to be: close to last place in the division. At 7-8 they are currently in 4th place with a -11 run differential that projects for more future disappointment.

The Rays started the season dropping two of three to Baltimore before taking two of three from Giancarlo Stanton and the Miami Marlins. Then, as Jays fans already know, the Rays took three of four games from Toronto before losing four straight games against the New York Yankees. They are currently in rubber match game against the Red Sox looking to overtake the Jays for third place in the division.

Outside of Chris Archer and Jake Odorizzi, there hasn’t been any eye opening performance from the Rays thus far. But in Archer’s four starts he’s been incredible with a 1.07 ERA and 6.00 K/BB ratio.

Given the Rays lack of fire power, it’s likely this brief start will eventually encapsulate their entire season. With a negative run differential, they are going to have to rely more on Alex Cobb and Drew Smyly when they return if they stand any chance at AL East contention.