Blue Jays AL East Recap: Jays Fight to Stay in the Mix

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: 47-34
Boston Red Sox: 44-37
Toronto Blue Jays: 45-39
New York Yankees: 40-41
Tampa Bay Rays: 33-48

It was a gruelling seven days for the Blue Jays. Despite the difficult series against the Cleveland Indians, the Jays managed to put together a decent week overall.

Before splitting the series with the Indians, they took the series from the Rockies, giving them a winning week as a whole. The Blue Jays had to fight every step of the way and many questions linger for them as we approach the All-Star Break. How long will utility SS Ryan Goins be out? Will Marco Estrada need to miss significant time? Who takes over for him if he’s out? These are all the questions the Blue Jays answer in the near future.

These challenges, including the 19-inning loss on Friday, do not outweigh the positives the Jays saw this week. Troy Tulowitzki and Russell Martin have been an offensive revelation as of late, clearly turning the corner on whatever ailed them at the beginning of the season.

Seven members of the bullpen preserved a tie over the course of 10.1 innings, a feat which seemed impossible just a month ago. The Blue Jays also got a break in the standings as division foes faced some poor weeks, allowing the Blue Jays to enter play Monday just 3.5 games behind first.

Final Takeaway:

The week was rough around the edges, but helped push the Jays closer to the top of the division. They will push for continued success, despite many uncertainties, as they march towards the All-Star Break.

Next: Baltimore Orioles get wings clipped

Orioles struggle out West

Baltimore Orioles: 47-34

The Orioles faced a setback at the end of the week after enduring a four game sweep at the hands of the Seattle Mariners. The week started off well, as they dispatched the Padres in two games, but they couldn’t hold that momentum going into the weekend.

All four Orioles starters were handed the loss after failing to contain the Mariners offence. More surprising is the fact that the Orioles were outscored 31-14 over the weekend.

The normally dominant Orioles now sit only three games ahead of the second place Red Sox, and will look to get back into shape during this final week before the All-Star Break.

This week did see positives, though, as Mark Trumbo smashed his way to sole Home Run Lead with 24. Trumbo, combining with the rest of the offence, tied the MLB’s June Home Run Record.

Final Takeaway:

While this was not the week the Orioles wanted to have, they still have plenty left in the tank to finish off the first half of the season with their AL East lead intact. Their biggest concern should be whether their rotation can handle the workload.

Next: Red Sox keep up pressure

Yankees once again fail to make a move
New York Yankees: 40-41

The New York Yankees have spent the better part of a month hovering at .500. This week proved no different. After coming from behind to split the series with the Texas Rangers, they had their weekend series in San Diego pulled away from them. The rotation was once again the biggest weakness for the Yankees, despite rookie Chad Green’s excellent start.

The lack of depth from their rotation has seemingly seeped into their bullpen as of late. Normally airtight, the bullpen has given up multiple games including two losses this week. While their offence has been pretty steady, the inconsistencies of the pitching behind them has left the Yankees unable to make a serious play for the top ranks of this division.

The Yankees have a perilous road ahead of them, facing the White Sox and Indans before the break and the Red Sox and Orioles after. With their offensive capabilities the Yankees will seek stronger starts from their rotation to help ensure their bullpen can close out close games. If they can get the right level of consistency from their starters, they can make a big splash.

Final Takeaway:

The Yankees are down, but certainly not out. They are a few good weeks away from making a stab at the top of the division. But will they be able to make the stab before the trade deadline?

Next: Tampa Bay show brief signs of life

Rays see hopes fade away

Tampa Bay Rays: 33-48

The Tampa Bay Rays limped out of the week, despite sprinting at the start of it. The Rays dazzled with a combination of power and pitching dominance against a division foe in the Red Sox, winning the three-game series.

It was the first time in a long time that the Rays looked as good as they did. The weekend showed us very little of that spark of greatness, as the Rays were handed a four-game sweep by the Tigers. The Rays are not only 14 games outside of first, but also miles from being a .500 team. With a difficult road still ahead of them before the break, Tampa Bays hopes for the season seem all but lost.

Despite having all the pieces for a winning ball club, they have demonstrated very little consistency all season. As we approach the second half of the season, and the trade deadline, it is hard not to imagine the Rays as dealers. They have some excellent players in their ball club, just none of them have been able to produce at the same time as often.

Final Takeaway:

Despite showing a brief glimpse of the team that they could be, the Rays once again regressed into the team they are to end the week. With the odds stacked against him, it is hard not to picture the AL East as being a four-team race now.