Blue Jays AL East Recap: Jays fall further in shrinking playoff race

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: 85-64
Baltimore Orioles: 82-67
Toronto Blue Jays: 81-68 (4.0 GB)
New York Yankees: 77-72
Tampa Bay Rays: 64-85

The Toronto Blue Jays followed up their worst week of the season with another lackluster performance over the past seven days. Toronto managed to go 3-4 on the week and now trail the Red Sox by four games in the division.

With 13 games left to play, the Blue Jays hold a narrow lead over the second Wild Card Slot. They lead the Tigers and Mariners by two games. The Blue Jays faced their normal woes, a weekend rotation that got minimal offensive support saw them split the series against the Angels, rather than walk a way with a win.

The Tampa Bay Rays won yet another series from the Blue Jays, seemingly knowing where the Blue Jays Achilles’ heel is.

In just 14 days the Blue Jays went from playoff shoe-ins, to playoff hopefuls. Now their opening set against the Mariners is more crucial then ever before. The Blue Jays have just 13 games to prove that they have still got what it takes. A tall order with the remaining schedule the Blue Jays have.

Marco Estrada has been dealing with a herniated disk in his back, which accounts for his difficult second half. His ability to pitch for the Blue Jays down the crucial stretch should be in question.

Final Takeaway:

The Blue Jays need one last spark of brilliance to fuel their stretch run, if they can find it they can repeat the playoffs. With only 13 games to go, the time for a miracle is now.

Consolidated power
Boston Red Sox: 85-64

The Boston Red Sox are now in sole possession of the AL East after a stellar 5-2 week. Things looked grim early on, though, as the Baltimore Orioles were able to take a series win and close the gap.

The Red Sox responded by walking all over the Yankees in a four-game sweep to end the week. Boston now has a comfy 3.0 game lead at first going down the home stretch. They entered the week one of four teams in legitimate contention for the crown, but after dispatching the Yankees, it appears as if they have narrowed the race to three. Hanley Ramirez provided much of the offence for the Sox this week, including a two-homer night on Sunday.

The Red Sox face Baltimore to start the week for another four game stretch, and they’ll look to keep up the success they have generally had against them all year.

Rick Porcello will be eyeing an MLB best 21 wins as the Red Sox have the chance to eliminate another contender. Boston then faces Tampa Bay to end the week, a task that has proved harder than it looks.

Final Takeaway:

Where their rivals have failed, they have succeeded. The Red Sox seem positioned to ride out the next two weeks and end the season as division champions. If they can get through this four game set with Baltimore, their victory seems assured.

Yankees tumble
New York Yankees: 77-72

It appears the Baby Bombers are out of the race. Despite riding a win streak to just a four-game deficit in the AL East last week, the Yankees begin play eight games out of first, and four for the second Wild Card spot.

The Yankees needed a good outing against the Red Sox, but got the opposite. Coming off a series loss to against the Dodgers, the Yankees were outgunned by the Red Sox at every opportunity. The Yankees’ short comings are not their own fault, they fought every game against the Sox and kept them close, they just couldn’t muster the steam to get the job done.

New York never realistically intended to reach the playoffs after selling big on August 1st, but a renaissance among their younger players paved the way for an exciting August. With two weeks left to play, there is still the chance that New York will get hot and fight their way to their second consecutive WC game, but that is a tall order with the amount of teams ahead of them.

Final Takeaway:

They Baby Bombers treated us to a spectacular gun show the last few week. New York gave us a taste of what the AL East has to contend with next year. If you thought they were scary for the last four weeks, just wait until you get 24 weeks of them.

Rays just won’t quit
Tampa Bay Rays: 64-85

Tampa Bay continues to be the wild card in the AL East. While not in contention for anything, the Rays have made a habit of late making easy games difficult.

With the rest of their division competing with teams well above .500, the Rays have been one of the hardest teams to beat in the A.L. East. Tampa Bay ended the week 4-3, and stalled both the Orioles and Blue Jays in their attempt to gain ground in the A.L. East race. The Blue Jays were looking to put their past behind them, but the Rays pulled out their Kryptonite and stung the Jays in the last two games. Then, with the Orioles looking to consolidate, the Rays split a four-game series, stunting Baltimore.

This is nothing new, either. The Rays have been very good against their AL East foes all year. It’s only now in the stretch run that it is becoming apparent. The Rays have proven to be worthy foes the last four weeks, dashing hopes and stunting ascents to the top. If the Rays can compete like this against the entire American League next year, the East will have yet another team to worry about.

Final Takeaway:

The Rays appear to be enjoying their role as spoiler. With 13 left to play, they could have as big an impact on the Playoff Race as any of the contenders.