Blue Jays AL East Recap: Jays Struggle to Use Momentum

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: 40-28
Boston Red Sox: 39-29
Toronto Blue Jays: 39-33
New York Yankees: 34-35
Tampa Bay Rays: 31-36

Despite finding their power for the better part of the week, the Blue Jays dropped the last two games against the division-leading Baltimore Orioles. Entering Saturday, the Jays were but a game behind, now after two losses the Jays sit three games back in the AL East.

This is made more frustrating due to the fact that the Jays will not play a division foe for close to a month after a lengthy stretch against their rivals.

Even with the frustrating weekend, the Blue Jays saw many positives. The offence exploded, even after losing Jose Bautista to the disabled list with a toe injury. The bullpen, outside of Sunday’s finale in Baltimore, was as a whole rather stunning, much better than the Jays have seen this season.

The starting pitching had trouble at the beginning and end of the week, but spectacular starts by Marco Estrada, J.A. Happ, and Aaron Sanchez highlighted the week. The Blue Jays also saw star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki return from the DL. The Jays will need to capitalize on recent momentum outside of their division to stay relevant with their rivals.

Final Takeaway:
Despite failing to make up significant ground in the AL East, the Blue Jays rode a four-game win streak to remain relevant against division foes. As long as the Blue Jays stay consistent, they will remain in the mix. A key factor come time to choose if they are buyers or sellers.

Let’s take a look at the rest of the division…

Next: Orioles are sole Kings of the castle

Orioles dispatch foes to take first

Baltimore Orioles: 40-28

The Orioles established their dominance over the East this week, dispatching the Red Sox to take sole possession of first place and later silencing the upstart Blue Jays to ensure that their superiority held.

Their bats were once again solid, but excellent pitching was their calling card for most of the week, supplementing their great offence and tight bullpen led by Brad Brach and Zach Britton.

Baltimore received support for their taxed rotation as Yovani Gallardo came off the disabled list and did what he does best: silence the Blue Jays. Putting him back into the rotation could inject some much-needed support to Baltimore’s weakest area and provide ace Chris Tillman with a much-needed wingman. The Orioles will start the next week without Manny Machado as he serves out the remaining three games of his four-game suspension.

Final Takeaway:
The Orioles spent this week consolidating power and ensuring they were the top dog in the division. With an appetizing schedule in front of them, they will look to further ensure they remain on top.

Next: Red Sox Down, but certainly not out

Red Sox remain poised to compete

Boston Red Sox: 39-29

The Red Sox rebounded after losing to the rival Orioles by taking a series win from the Mariners to end the week.

They now firmly have control of second as the Jays have once again fallen back a peg in the standings. The Red Sox needed the strong finish to the weekend they had after losing first to the Orioles at the week’s onset.

Hitting was not the Red Sox strongest suit this week, though their offence still managed to be quite productive. Instead, their starting rotation blossomed into a formidable force as David Price, Rick Porcello, and Steven Wright all vied to be called the ace of the Red Sox rotation with strong performances.

If their level of production keeps up, the back end will sort itself out with no ill effect to the team itself. They will look to gain ground as they face the White Sox at Fenway to start the week.

Final Takeaway:

Despite dropping out of first place, the Red Sox are still a force to be reckoned with. The Red Sox are ready to pounce on any mistakes Baltimore makes, and are ready to be in control again as they present another roadblock for Toronto.

Next: Yankees fail to gain ground

Rays struggle to make a splash

Tampa Bay Rays: 31-36

Time is quickly running out for the Rays to make up any ground in the division. Despite winning the series against the Mariners, they ended the week on a four-game losing streak.

After getting swept by the Giants this weekend the Rays now possess the worst record in the American League East. With most of their rivals well above .500 the Rays will need to actively make up ground against their foes to prove that they are still in this.

Once again, consistency has been the name of the game for the Rays, and while they have at least begun to find that, they have not found anything exceptional. Their offence has been fine, rather than great. Their rotation has been serviceable, rather than stellar. The Rays will get a four-game set against the Orioles this weekend, which could prove to be the make or break point for their season.

Next: Blue Jays weekly minor league recap, level by level

Final Takeaway:

The Rays have struggled to make a splash among their parity rich Division Foes. With the clock ticking, the Rays will need to put in extra work to force themselves into the picture.