Blue Jays AL East Recap: Jays fall out of contention

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: 47-35
New York Yankees: 43-37
Tampa Bay Rays: 43-41
Baltimore Orioles: 40-41
Toronto Blue Jays: 37-44

The Blue Jays enter play this week much worse for the wear. After spending June chasing 500 after an excellent May, the Blue Jays appear to have breathed their last breath competitively. Entering play on Monday night they sit almost 10 games out of first and well out of the Wild Card picture. With the trade deadline just weeks away, it looks like the Jays will likely be sellers at the deadline. The question is just how hard they will sell. The Blue Jays had the chance to stay in the fight against the Orioles and Red Sox, but could barely hold on against the competition.

Toronto’s inconsistent and poor play from every part of the team is the main problem. Aside from newly anointed All-Star Justin Smoak, the Blue Jays couldn’t get anything going offensively. Marcus Stroman has been the lone bright spot in a rotation that has struggled to stay afloat against the competition. The bullpen, ravaged by injuries has been incapable of the handling the workload that the rotation has put on them. Don’t expect the Blue Jays to go crazy with the sales, unloading the contracts of Troy Tulowitzki and Russell Martin will take great effort. Smoak, very well, might be the most valuable chip the Jays have.

Final Takeaway:

It might be a hard pill for Jays fans to swallow, but the Blue Jays are out of the competition for the year. However, with some smart planning and luck, the Blue Jays may be in a better spot this time next year.

The Beantown Kings
47-35

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
43-37

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
43-41

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.