Blue Jays AL East Recap: A tight race brewing

Baltimore fights for first
Baltimore Orioles: 60-47

The Orioles are starting to have a harder time holding onto their division lead. For a good part of the week the Orioles were not in sole possession of first, and ended the weekend with only a game ahead of the competition. Despite this, the Orioles made the most of their week, winning a three-game set against the Texas Rangers, and followed up by beating the Chicago White Sox in the weekend. The Orioles offense was once again reaching their capabilities, and aided a rotation that has been bolstered by Wade Miley.

Baltimore’s offensive week was highlighted by a home run hat trick from MVP candidate Manny Machado, who also had seven RBI in the game. It was not only Machado though, as the entire order from Chris Davis to Pedro Alvarez bounced back from some quiet weeks of offence. The Orioles will look to keep it up against the Athletics to start the week.

Final Takeaway:

Despite failing to make much room between them and their competition, the Orioles are still a favorite to win the division. If their offence is back on track, they could easily be an unstoppable force down the stretch.

Red Sox struggle to keep up:
Boston Red Sox: 60-50

The Boston Red Sox struggled to start August. They split a four-game series, before dropping their weekend set against the Los Angeles Dodgers. This dropped the Red Sox to third in the division, and a half a game behind Detroit for the second Wild Card spot. Despite having a bolstered starting rotation, Boston starters still dropped three starts. New bullpen arm Fernando Abad did not have the most auspicious start as well, charged with the loss in his Boston debut.

The pitching struggles came as a letdown to a Boston offence that worked as hard as it usually does. The Red Sox bullpen looked stronger than ever now that Craig Kimbrel has returned from the disabled list. The Red Sox will play host to the Yankees and Diamondbacks this week and will look to make up ground against some struggling foes.

Final Takeaway:
The Red Sox are just a good week away from putting themselves in the drivers seat of the division. Despite struggling the last few weeks, the Red Sox are by no means out of the race. Look for them to make significant ground this week.

Next: Yankees pass the torch, Rays update