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Blue Jays AL East Recap: Jays plummet from the top spot

By Samuel Bruce

Sep 11, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Joe Biagini (31) kicks at the mound as Boston Red Sox first baseman Hanley Ramirez (13) rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the fifth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Joe Biagini (31) kicks at the mound as Boston Red Sox first baseman Hanley Ramirez (13) rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the fifth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

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.

Boston Red Sox: 80-62
Baltimore Orioles: 78-64
Toronto Blue Jays: 78-64 (2.0 GB)
New York Yankees: 76-66
Tampa Bay Rays: 60-82

It was a rough week for the Toronto Blue Jays. Entering play on Monday, they were positioned with a one game lead in the East. They enter today’s series against the Tampa Bay Rays tied for second with Baltimore and two games back.

The trouble started in New York where the Blue Jays  were swept in three games. Things did not get easier against Boston, as the Jays narrowly avoided a sweep with a win Saturday night. Despite the rough week, of course, the Blue Jays are still in the mix. Toronto remains only two games behind Boston, and have a two game hold on the second Wild Card spot. With some luck, and a better week, the Blue Jays could find themselves back in the driver’s seat.

The Blue Jays struggles were on all fronts. Their bullpen has continued to be the most pressing concern all season, and it continues to be adequate at best. The prolonged struggles with the once-dominant rotation are more apparent than ever.

Blue Jays starters were decimated by opponents this week and didn’t have the offence to back it up. The bats were mostly quiet and failed to produce in key situations, but most frustrating was the defence. Normally, the Blue Jays rank near the top on fielding defence, but you would not have known that this week.

Multiple miscues costed the Blue Jays runs, and ultimately, games. The Blue Jays were hit hard by the Rays last time around and a win today would go along way in determining if the Blue Jays week was a fluke.

Final Takeaway:

It was a week the Blue Jays would like to forget. Toronto’s schedule does not get any easier, so an early week win would help in determining Toronto’s playoff fate.

Next: Boston holds the crown in the East for now

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