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Blue Jays AL East Recap: Jays Perched on Top
Each week, Jays Journal will take a look at the bigger picture of the American League East to help frame not only where the Blue Jays are in the standings, but why they are there.
Toronto Blue Jays: 67-51
Baltimore Orioles: 66-51
Boston Red Sox: 64-52
New York Yankees: 60-57
Tampa Bay Rays: 47-69
The Toronto Blue Jays ended the week in style, beating the Houston Astros 9-2 and positioning themselves at first in the division. The Blue Jays have competed hard for first, spending most of the week leading or tied for the A.L. East lead. Though by a slim margin, the Blue Jays have been able to hang tough with the Orioles and stay very much alive in the race.
The week was a successful one for the Blue Jays. They ended their home stand 4-2, winning both series’ against the Rays and Astros. This success comes amid some unfortunate off field news, though.
Toronto lost two of their core players in Kevin Pillar and Jose Bautista to the disabled list. The offence was much more lively this week, scoring four or more runs in every game but their two losses. The sudden offensive burst comes at the right moment, as the roster was struggling with Bautista and Pillar in the lineup. Joining the white-hot Devon Travis were Troy Tulowitzki and Russell Martin, who both had exceptional offensive weeks.
Final Takeaway:
The Blue Jays looked like the team they were meant to be this week. Dominant starting pitching combined with excellent offence. If the Blue Jays can keep up both, then they could come away with a more commanding lead down the stretch.
Orioles bounce back
Baltimore Orioles: 66-51
The Orioles rebounded after a rough week that saw them lose first by stunning the Giants late on Sunday and taking a series win. The series win for the Orioles came on the back of losing 3-of-4 from the Oakland Athletics.
Baltimore pitchers gave up as many runs as their offence provided them with a weekly run differential of 27-27, an oddity for the Orioles. Baltimore’s pitching was for the most part the most solid aspect of the team, it was the lack of offence that hurt the Orioles for the better part of a week. As usual, Baltimore’s bullpen was magnificent holding most of the games this week. Closer Zach Britton earned his A.L.-leading 37th save on Sunday.
The Orioles will now start a home stand that features a two-game split against the Red Sox. The last time the two clubs faced, they were battling for first place. They begin play Monday now battling to control second place. Camden Yards should be the perfect place to get Baltimore’s offence back on track.
Final Takeaway:
Baltimore will enter a crucial two game set to start the week that has many implications for a very tight A.L. East race. If they can get their offence going, they could easily swing themselves back into first place.
Next: Raking Red Sox still very much involved...
Red Sox stay hot on the trail
Boston Red Sox: 64-52
The Red Sox had quite the week offensively, capping it off with a 16-2 win over Zack Greinke and the Arizona Diamondbacks. The game also saw Mookie Betts homer three times, for the second time this season.
Boston broke out the brooms on Arizona last night after losing their series against the rival New York Yankees. The 4-2 week puts the Red Sox two games back of first place, ground they could make up this week as they will be entertained by Baltimore on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Red Sox did get some bad news as starter Steven Wright was placed on the disabled list, and the Hanley Ramirez will be out for the next three games due to a family situation. Wright has been one of Boston’s most consistent starters all season, and the Red Sox will have to use thin rotation depth as they wait for the knuckleballer to return.
Ramirez’ absence comes at an unfortunate time for Boston, but they have had no trouble producing without him given their talented lineup.
Final Takeaway:
The Red Sox will take their gun show on quite a road trip that takes them through to August 26th. Boston are playing as a complete unit right now, and could be at the top looking down by week’s end.
Next: Young Yankees deliver, remain surprise contender...
Yankees surge into the mix
New York Yankees: 60-57
The Yankees rode a four-game win streak to a 4-2 week, and forced the question of whether or not they were legitimate Wild Card contenders. Despite being 6.5 games back in the East, they are only 4.5 back in the Wild Card, good enough for fourth overall.
New York got quality production from quite a few young stars who have added a fresh jolt into a once-aged roster. Moving Carlos Beltran to the Rangers and shifting Alex Rodriguez from player to an “advisory” position has allowed the Yankees to creatively use the influx of new talent they have. The Yankees rotation was lifted by their offence, despite a worse than usual week.
With these changes, the Yankees are now enjoying the best of both worlds. After acquiring the lion’s share of prospects at the trade deadline, they are also enjoying a playoff race with no strings attached.
They have planned for the future, but the new-look Yankees the world saw this week may be able to propel their city to the postseason this year.
Final Takeaway:
The Yankees will get the perfect opportunity as they host the Blue Jays to start the week. It’ll be the new-look-Yankees’ first real test.
Next: Rays Have found a new identity
Tampa Bay plays spoiler
47-69
The Tampa Bay Rays embraced their new 2016 identity in style Sunday night, dominating the Yankees in a 12-3 win. The win spoiled a four-game winning streak of a suddenly-hot Yankees team, and has established a new identity for the team going down the stretch.
With a tight division race, any win against a division foe goes a long way. With plenty of games left to play in the East, they will have plenty of chances.
The Rays played a tight series against the Blue Jays to start the week, and ended up in a series loss despite two solid games to open up the set. The Rays were then dispatched by the Yankees in the first two games of their weekend series.
Next: Blue Jays overhaul ticket prices for 2017
Final Takeaway:
The Tampa Bay Rays have enough left in the tank to spoil the plans of their division foes, and will look to do that down the stretch. Look for creative roster moves come time for the 40-man expansion.