Blue Jays AL East Recap: Orioles and Red Sox keep hitting

Tillman; Offense continue to power Baltimore

Baltimore Orioles: 23-13

The Orioles looked liked the best offence in baseball again (because they are) and clobbered their foes. Only one game saw them below five runs, and that won was claimed by an astonishingly good Chris Tillman.

Tillman has helped an otherwise weak rotation stay afloat, also giving the Orioles’ strong pen rest every 5th start. The Baltimore right-hander has made eight starts in 2016 and currently owns a 2.58 ERA.

Offence is the key for the Orioles. If they mash enough, their excellent bullpen can clamp down the win. With Gallardo still out, the Orioles will look to do more of the same. But with Manny Machado putting up MVP-type numbers, and offensive production from every member of the lineup.

The Orioles will look to keep an advantage over the surging Red Sox. Baltimore faces the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels over the coming week.

Final Takeaway:

The Orioles will look for their offensive excellence to keep them in the drivers seat in the AL East, but their starting rotation to pick up pace if they are to distance themselves from the Boston Red Sox.

Next: In Boston, Big Papi hitting like it's 2004

Boston uses 73 runs to close the gap.

Boston Red Sox: 24-14

The Boston Red Sox offence exploded this week, scoring 10 or more runs in 4 games. David Ortiz looked 10 years younger, as the Sox decimated their opponents.

Their prolific homestead not only saw Vintage Papi, but also saw Jackie Bradley Jr reach a 20-game hit streak. With power and efficiency from young and old players alike, the Red Sox can make the most out of Papi’s farewell tour.

Boston’s monster week was highlighted by excellent performances by David Price and Rick Porcello. An inconsistent starting rotation has been Boston’s one major flaw thus far in the season.

Increased productivity from their ace down to their 5th man will help the Red Sox to maintain and potentially overtake the Orioles.

Final Takeaway:

The Red Sox got productivity from their rotation right as their offence started breaking records. Boston will look for continued production from their pitching staff as they fight for first place in series’ against the Royals and Indians.

Next: Looking a little lower: The Rays Regress

Despite positives, Rays fall behind

Tampa Bay Rays: 16-19

Tampa Bay got a masterful start form Matt Andriese and Brandon Guyer contined to rake, yet the Rays managed to fall behind their opponents this week.

The rest of the Rays starting rotation looked weak despite Andriese’s gem, which continues to be Tamps Bay’s big problem. Despite offensive productivity, their rotation got them into trouble as the Rays saw a four-game win streak melt into a four-game losing streak.

The injury bug hit hard too, as Logan Forsythe landed on the disabled list late last week. The Rays were able to produce runs without him, but he is a key part of the team’s offence.

Given their offensive inconsistencies, losing him will only make them more inconsistent. The Rays will look to right the ship against division foes the Blue Jays to start off week seven followed by a three-game set against the Tigers.

Final Takeaway: 

The Rays suffered from missed opportunities this week, coming close, but never quite pulling through. They need their rotation to balance out and for their offence to stay steady, if they do, they are a force to be reckoned with.

Next: Yankees on the Rebound

Chapman helps Yankees regain lost ground

New York Yankees 16-20

Aroldis Chapman had an immediate impact for the Yankees bullpen after returning from his suspension under Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy. As a whole, New York looked like the team we saw early this season.

The Yankees offence was as productive and as dangerous looking as they were during the onset of the season. This offensive revelation helped the Yankees to close out games with strong performances from their relievers.

New York also had three stellar starts from their rotation. Long the source of the Yankees frustration, the productivity from their rotation was a step in the right direction as the Bronx Bombers started hitting again.

Next: Full Blue Jays and Rays series preview

Their rotation is the key and got some help from the rest of the roster this week, but the Yankees will need to look a whole lot better than they have so far to get back into the divisional race..

Final Takeaway:

The Yankees looked like the team everyone thought they’d be at the beginning of the season, but they will need to be very productive to dig themselves out of the whole they fell into.