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

Chaotic finale caps quiet week of productivity

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.

Baltimore Orioles: 23-13
Boston Red Sox: 24-14
Toronto Blue Jays: 19-20
Tampa Bay Rays: 16-19
New York Yankees: 16-20

The Blue Jays put together a productive week despite going 3-3. Toronto received a stellar start from a classic-looking R.A. Dickey, and J.A. Happ continued to prove that he was a worthwhile investment. The offence looked to take form again this week, scoring less than 4 runs only once. With the strength of our starters, offensive production can help leverage the Jays into the win column more often.

The bullpen was rocked with not only multiple losses, but the loss of Brett Cecil to the disabled list.

Though he hasn’t looked like himself this season, losing him for any length of time makes the situation in the ‘pen that much worse. The Blue Jays would benefit tremendously from Drew Storen returning to form.

Despite the loss, Blue Jays starters are staying in the game late, most of them making it through the 6th. With Osuna rocking the 9th, the Jays only need productivity from a few members of the bullpen on a normal day.

Final Takeaway:

While Sunday’s rubber match was dramatic and chaotic, the overall week showcased some positives from the rotation and the lineup. If the ‘pen can shape up and manage the loss of Cecil, the Jays could make up lost ground.

Next: The Baltimore Bombers

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.