Blue Jays and the AL East Recap: Week 3

Apr 24, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Ezequiel Carrera (3) hits a single against Oakland Athletics in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Ezequiel Carrera (3) hits a single against Oakland Athletics in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
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Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

While it was a bad week off the field for the Blue Jays, there were many positives on the field

Each week, Jays Journal will take a look at the bigger picture of the AL East to help frame not only where the Blue Jays are in the standings, but why they are there.

BAL 11-6
TOR 10-10
BOS 9-9
TB 8-10
NYY 7-10

The suspension of Chris Colabello highlighted a week of woes for the Blue Jays. Not only did the Jays lose Colabello, but both Michael Saunders and Russell Martin are day to day with injuries. While it would be easy to write this week off as a bust for the Jays, it was anything but.

Despite a passed ball causing the Jays to lose the series against Baltimore, there were a lot of positives on the field this week. The starting rotation continued to look very good, Drew Hutchison was excellent in his first outing of the year, and Ezequiel Carrera was the unlikely hero of the weekend. Carrera went 4-for-5 on Saturday night, scoring three runs with a stolen base and a few spectacular grabs to go with it.

As if his career night wasn’t good enough, he homered on Sunday, scoring the Blue Jays first run of the game. He then proceeded to go 2-for-4 with a walk on the day. Did I forget to mention he did all this from the leadoff spot?

So while the Blue Jays suffered, they have a lot of answers. The Blue Jays are still flush at first base, Carrera have completely mitigated Saunders’ absence, and have extra catching depth in the minors should it be needed.

Final Takeaway:

The Blue Jays saw many positives on field that saw a lot of off-field drama, it’s finally starting to look like everything is clicking at once though

Next: Baltimore cools down atop the division

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /

Orioles are Average for first time in ’16

Baltimore Orioles 11-6

The Baltimore Orioles were successful this week, but a far cry from the hot start they got off to in the previous weeks. They were able to win the series against the Blue Jays on back to back late game errors, but were subdued by the reigning champs in Kansas City to give them their first .500 week.

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The Orioles too had their share of difficulties as Yovani Gallardo was placed on the disabled list. While the Orioles rotation has looked good until this point, they do not possess much depth.

Rookie Tyler Wilson was the only O’s starter to bank a win this week, as the Orioles let their bullpen do most of the work for them. The loss of Gallardo will be mitigated with the return of Kevin Gausman, but their rotation won’t be optimal until both are there.

The O’s continue to be an offensive force with Chris Davis, Mark Trumbo, and Manny Machado all being as feared as ever. Their level of productivity can help lead even the most mediocre of starting rotations to the win column.

Combined with their dominant relief staff, despite set backs, the O’s still look like the team to beat in the East.

Final Takeaway:

While the Orioles had their first average week, they are still looking like the cream of the AL East crop in the early goings of this season.

Next: Red Sox struggle, in search of pitching

Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Boston Laments Missed Opportunites

Boston Red Sox: 9-9 

The Boston Red Sox suffered offensively this week. While the hits were there, they failed to capitalize on them.

The Red Sox scored barely 40% of the time with runners in scoring position. This deficiency was pronounced more by weak outings from the rotation, including a rough home opener that saw David Price chased off in the 4th inning.

Over his first four starts of the season, former the former Blue Jay has allowed 17 earned runs in just 21.2 innings, racking up the strikeouts along the way but sitting with an ugly 7.06 ERA.

Their dominant bullpen also gave the Red Sox the worst week of the season thus far, all culminating in a disappointing week that was well under .500.

Boston had their share of injury problems as Xander Bogaerts suffered a scary hit-by-pitch on Friday. Additionally, they had starter Joe Kelly placed on the 15-day DL, further weakening an already shaky back end to their rotation.

Final Takeaway:

The Red Sox will hope that their rotation can not only bounce back, but weather two injured starters at once in the coming weeks. Their bullpen is dominant, but they can only contain so much damage control.

The Sox pitching will be their key to success, or defeat, in the coming weeks.

Next: Rays still hanging tough in the AL East

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Rays Continue to Fight in Tough AL East

Tampa Bay Rays: 8-10

The Rays have had a tough time getting their rotation to find it’s groove. While they’ve seen progress, ace Chris Archer (0-4) has still yet to deliver on the level he’s capable of.

Erasmo Ramirez earned two wins and a loss in a week the Rays saw their bullpen put in most of the pitching work this week. Drew Smyly earned the lone win for the starting rotation, and continued his string of strong outings.

The weak pitching has been the bane to a vastly improved offensive staff. The Rays are seeing the offensive production they envisioned when they retooled in the off season. But that offense only really shined on Sunday night as the Rays crushed the Yankee’s 8-1 under an impressive Smyly.

Final Takeaway:

There are a lot of lingering questions for the Rays. Their pitching staff has not looked anywhere near as good as it was in 2016.

While their bullpen has been strong so far, just how many innings are they going to have to eat up as they wait for the rotation to improve?

Next: Bronx Bombers bomb

Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

Yankee’s Struggle at Home

New York Yankee’s: 7-10

The Yankees had a bad homestead, going 3-6 overall with 4 of those losses coming this week. After being swept by the Athletics, they were able to secure a tight series win over the Rays despite being blown out during Thursday’s rubber match.

Ivan Nova was the sole positive performance from the Yankee’s ragged starting rotation this week, as the Yank’s pen put their fare share of work in. The Yankees offense was present, but has slowed down tremendously since opening weekend. While still very potent, they are proving to not be the most formidable offense in a power packed AL East.

Next: Breaking down Michael Bourn's role in Toronto

New York lost relief pitcher Branden Pinder to a torn UCL and there is the chance that young Outfielder Aaron Hicks could land on the DL after injuring himself on Saturday. Alex Rodriguez left Sunday’s game with oblique stiffness, but should be fine. Injuries to their younger players should be a concern to the Yankee’s as they have many veteran players in key positions and the season is yet young.

Final Takeaway:

They Yankees rotation continues to underwhelm, forcing their dominant relief staff to do all the work. Was this another down week for their offence, or just shades to come?

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