Blue Jays AL East Recap: Jays soaring out of August

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: 74-56
Boston Red Sox: 72-58
Baltimore Orioles: 71-59
New York Yankees: 67-62
Tampa Bay Rays: 55-74

The Blue Jays countered a rough outing against the Angels of Anaheim with a weekend sweep of the Twins. Toronto came alive this weekend scoring 32 runs, hiding yet another week of weak pitching.

However, the Blue Jays gave up 21 runs to the Twins, which set the franchise record for runs allowed in a three game sweep. The Blue Jays will enter a pivotal three game set against the Orioles with a decent lead. They remain ahead of the Red Sox by 2.0 games and the Orioles by 3.0.

Toronto struggled to get much going against the Angels, but came alive against the struggling Twins. After the blowout on Friday night, it looked as if the Twins were going to strike back on Saturday and Sunday. Thanks to late-inning surges from Melvin Upton Jr. and Josh Donaldson, the Blue Jays converted two deficits of three runs into wins.

The offensive barrage was much needed with the August rotation struggles continuing. Only R.A. Dickey and Francisco Liriano recorded wins for the rotation, which has struggled mightily in August. After squaring off with Baltimore to begin the week, the Jays will match up against the Rays.

Final Takeaway:

The Blue Jays late inning heroics earned them some wiggle room going into Baltimore series. The Jays appear poised for success with the front end of their rotation playing a struggling Orioles.

Next: Red Sox remain the closest contender

Red Sox right in the mix
Boston Red Sox: 72-58

The Boston Red Sox played hard in an attempt to keep pace with the Blue Jays. The Red Sox sit 2.0 games back in the AL East after a disappointing week.

Entering the week, the Red Sox were just a half game behind the Blue Jays. After splitting a four-game set against the Rays they let their weekend series against the Royals get away from them. Tampa Bay held Boston’s normally explosive offence in check. Boston’s run output against the Rays was just two runs a game. This continued into the weekend as the Red Sox were outscored by the Royals 19-15.

One glaring point of weakness for the Red Sox this week was their bullpen. The normally dominant Boston bullpen failed to pick up the rotation. These struggles were as pronounced as ever on Sunday nights as Matt Barnes and Junichi Tazawa were hammered by the Royals in the 6th.

The poor week for the bullpen was overshadowed by a decent week from the rotation. Boston’s rotation was stronger than the records would suggest. The Red Sox will hope to bounce back as they get a rematch with the Rays.

Final Takeaway:

With Toronto and Baltimore duelling to start the week, the Red Sox will look to take advantage of the Rays and gain ground as they push to reclaim first. It was a down week offensively, but don’t expect that to be the case this time around.

Next: Orioles continue to slide, drop three back

Orioles fall further
Baltimore Orioles: 71-59

The Orioles had a bounce-back week, but have nothing to show for it. They entered the week two and a half games back, and enter play this week three games down.

Despite winning a four-game set against the Washington Nationals, they struggled in New York. The Yankees went to town against the Orioles, who were only able to salvage a single win in the series. Baltimore was just a half a game out of first when they played the Red Sox two weeks ago. Since that time they have a 5-8 record. The normally dominant offence was once again kept in check by opposing pitchers for most of the week.

The Orioles rotation struggled as ace Chris Tillman was placed on the disabled list. The rotation has been the week spot for most of the year, but the Orioles are in new territory without Tillman. The normally strong offence has been hit and miss over much of August.

Baltimore’s dominant bullpen has shown significant signs of fatigue as the innings have piled up. The Orioles had a bounce-back night with Kevin Gausman, who went seven strong innings in the win. The Orioles will hope this gave their bullpen the rest they need.

Final Takeaway:

The Orioles have a chance to break back onto the scene this week. If their offence and bullpen can be what they have been the better part of the season, they could easily dispatch the Blue Jays from their perch.

Next: Baby Bombers on fire in fourth

Rays continue to spoil
Tampa Bay Rays: 55-74

The Rays continue to rebuild for next year, and help spoil playoff plans in the process. The Tampa Bay Rays didn’t make it an easy week for the Red Sox, earning a series split.

Tampa Bay’s rotation was magnificent and held the mighty Red Sox offence in check for most of the week. What appeared to be an easy series win for Boston turned out to be a grinding duel. The Rays offence came to life in the last minute against the Houston Astros as they avoided the sweep. The Rays 3-3 week was highlighted by a strong Chris Archer. Archer not only had 10 strikeouts against the Astros on Sunday, but he reached 200 for the second season in a row.

The offence was powered by Corey Dickerson and Mikie Mahtook, who saw an 0-34 streak snapped this week. Veteran Alex Cobb will is poised to join Tampa’s rotation this week, and should further help put pieces in place for 2017.

The Rays also got Nick Franklin back form the disabled list. Just days away from expanded rosters, Tampa Bay will have a lot of new tools to play with.

Next: Surviving the dog days with the Blue Jays

Final Takeaway:

The Rays have enjoyed playing spoiler so far, and will get another chance against both the Red Sox and Blue Jays this week. Expanded roster means new tools for the Rays, and position auditions for next season.