Blue Jays AL East Recap: Jays fall out of contention

The Beantown Kings
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Fresh off of humiliating the Blue Jays, the Red Sox find themselves in sole position of first place in the AL East. While the Yankees have begun to struggle down the stretch, Boston has not faltered. With the team getting healthier and more consistent, the Red Sox will indeed be the team the world predicted them they’d be. Their offense has been as potent as ever, and their rotation, bolstered by the return of David Price and addition of Doug Fister, now looks like it can contend with the best of them. With a capable bullpen, the Red Sox are the complete package.

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They will start the week with a few concerns though. Xander Bogaerts will be out of Monday’s lineup with a groin injury. As well as what to do with Rick Porcello, who has looked like a hollow shell of his former self. Yet if they keep batting the way they have, they’ll be able to hit out of any problem. They’ll tackle the Rangers and Rays this week.

Final Takeaway:

The Red Sox are playing like Champions and look like they are here to say. They’ll maintain a hold over the top spot in the division as long as they can drive the ball like they have been doing.

Yankees Losing Ground
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The Yankees are looking up for the first time in a while. After struggling all June, the Yankees have finally given up the lead to the Red Sox. They now sit 3 games behind for First but hold on to the on to the top Wild Card Spot. They’ll get the chance to rebound against the Blue Jays and the Brewers this week. The Yankees struggles can be attributed to multiple things. Injuries to Aaron Hicks, Matt Holliday, and Starlin Castro. Their rotation has been mighty inconsistent as well, putting extra strain on the relief corps frequently. These strains and injuries have derailed the once mighty team. While they still have a tremendous ability to hit, their young bats are not doing it at the capacity they used too.

It is not all doom and gloom for New York. Aaron Judge, Luis Severino, and Dellin Betances were all named to the All-Star Team, with Gary Sanchez in the reserve. Both Judge and Sanchez will also compete in the Home Run Derby. The Yankees are still capable of leading the division but will need their core roster to return and to produce the way they were early this season. Expect the Yankees to look for help in the rotation come deadline.

Final Takeaway:

The Yankees are down, but not out. They are and will remain in playoff contention until October rolls around.

Rays Holding Strong
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The Rays enter play Monday only 5 games back of first place, and a hold of the second WC spot. They have been consistent in their performance as of late, and it shows in the record books. Wilson Ramos has been as good as advertised, and the Rays look like real competitors in the postseason picture. Their young rotation is excellent, and their offense has been steady and strong all year. Their bullpen is the area of biggest concern, and would likely be where any upgrades went at the Deadline.

Corey Dickerson has led Tampa’s offense thus far and was named the starting DH at the 2017 All-Star Game. Aiding in the last few weeks has been Wilson Ramos, who has looked much like is pre-injury self this year. Expect the Rays to get even better when Kevin Kiermaier and Matt Andriese get their injuries sorted out. While all eyes have been locked on the struggle between New York and Boston, the Rays have quietly propelled themselves into contention.

Final Takeaway:

The Rays are looking like the real deal lately. They have withstood injuries and slumps and remain firmly entrenched in the race for October.

Orioles Can’t Get Much Going
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The Orioles have already gotten the week off to a wrong start, getting walloped by the Brewers 8-1 to start the week. The latest loss highlights a string of inconsistent play that has allowed the team to fall and remain under 500 for the better part of June. They are now 6.5 games out of the position they once held, and in the back half of a very crowded Wild Card Race. The Orioles can be a real threat when their offense is awake, but that has been something they have failed to be in recent weeks.

Going hand in hand with their offensive woes has been the pronounced problem with the Orioles rotation. Baltimore’s staff looks like one of the worst rotations in the game and hasn’t helped to get the team back on its feet. With some key players still on the DL, JJ Hardy and Zach Britton to name a few, the O’s will be running without two of their key contributors. With the race for the top getting hotter, it is quickly looking like the O’s will join the Jays as deadline sellers.

Final Takeaway:

Baltimore has looked much worse for the wear these days. It is honestly surprising they have held on this long. Unless the Orioles get themselves better pitching, don’t expect them to be active in playoff pursuit.

Next: Blue Jays: Osuna gets All-Star snub in favour of Betances