Blue Jays AL East Recap: Jays Struggle Out of Town
By Samuel Bruce
![Jun 22, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) sets to bat during MLB game action against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports Jun 22, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) sets to bat during MLB game action against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fjaysjournal-com-2Ffiles-2F2016-2F06-2Fjosh-donaldson-mlb-arizona-diamondbacks-toronto-blue-jays-1-850x560-ec209726b8fae1209632385442e92556.jpg)
Boston falls behind in the East
Boston Red Sox: 41-34
The Red Sox entered last week ready to fight to stay in first place, but they ended this week four games behind it.
Boston saw little success in a full week of play, losing a four-game series against the White Sox, followed by a series loss against the Texas Rangers. Their normally strong offence, was silenced for most of the week as their rotation struggled.
Boston’s biggest flaw of the week was its bullpen. The normally strong ‘pen blew multiple leads leading to two losses. Combined with their rotation woes, especially those of Clay Buchholz, the Red Sox looked weaker than they have been.
The Red Sox’ bats will rebound, their offensive core simply had a bad week. Their rotation and bullpen will need to be worked out if the Red Sox are to gain any ground in the East. The bullpen looks like it might have had a down week, but given the inconsistency of Boston’s staff to go late into games, the Red Sox could be in for trouble if they can’t solve their rotation problems.
Final Takeaway:
The Red Sox looked downright bad during this full week of play. They will look to right the ship against the weak Tampa Bay Rays to start the week.
Next: Yanks Have a Mild Week