The state of the AL East
While Red Sox Nation enters the all-too-familiar territory known as "panic," the Yankees have reverted to their superior selves, the Blue Jays are losing hope (again), the Orioles have all but given up on their season, and the Devil Rays sit comfortably in last place, per usual. Silly me for thinking the Sox could cruise through August and September with a nice four-game cushion or something equally satisfying. That whole lack of pitching thing has finally caught up with the team, and a plethora of injuries isn't helping. Here's the state of the American League East and how the teams can expect to finish.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
There's much excitement over prospect B.J. Upton getting called up from AAA Durham. Only that could truly lessen the blow of losing Julio Lugo to the Dodgers. Okay, so they didn't technically lose him but as one of the best offensive shortstops in the game, he'll be tough to replace. On the flip side, the Rays really couldn't afford to hold onto Lugo after this season so it's just as well they made a trade now. As for the rest of the team, Rocco Baldelli's triumphant return has been marred with soreness and bruises. Right bicep, right hamstring, etc, etc. He'll most likely sit out a game here and there the rest of the season. On a more positive note, Scott Kazmir is slated to make his first start off the DL this Friday. That should give my fantasy team a nice little boost.
Bottom line: When you're 21 games out of first place... um, yeah. The team's mindset at this point should be, "Well, maybe for the second time in our nine-year existence, we can finish fourth! Hey, anything can happen!"
Baltimore Orioles
Kris Benson is on the DL. Kevin Millar is their DH. (Ha!) And the pitching staff is positively atrocious. Why they continue to start Russ Ortiz (0-7 with a 9.86 ERA, after giving up six runs in four innings today) is beyond me. Their offense is mediocre at best (that could very well be the understatement of the year) with good ol' Miggy Tejada the only player on their active roster batting above .300. And just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, they have two of the ugliest guys in the history of Major League Baseball playing for them. (That would be Jay Gibbons and Chris Britton.)
Bottom line: The D-Rays could easily overcome them in the standings, which would be quite the eye opener. The organization really needs to assess what the hell is going on because, in addition to the team sucking in general, players are leaving and smack talking the front office with no remorse. (See: Sidney Ponson and Javy Lopez, to name two.) Peter Angelos is running the team into the ground, unwilling to put money into the organization, which will ultimately prove a fatal error with the Nationals nearby. After the Senators moved to Texas, many fans refused to latch on to the Orioles and there's no telling what will happen to their somewhat fickle fanbase if the team doesn't attempt to be more competitive.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Jays were tagged as the team to beat in the AL East this year and pretty much flew under the radar the entire season. All of a sudden, they're 9.5 games out of first and no longer a concern (if they ever really were). Roy Halladay and B.J. Ryan are forces to be reckoned with but A.J. Burnett's 3-5 record has been a huge disappointment. Lucky for them, the outfielders have stepped up tremendously with Frank Catalanatto, Alex Rios, Reed Johnson, and Vernon Wells all batting well above .300. You go, guys.
Bottom line: It's only early August so yeah, anything could happen. But without any major trades (they were said to be pushing for Julio Lugo at the deadline) and "Everyone's favorite cologne-promoting pitcher Gustavo Chacin has just one more rehab stint to go!" being the most positive thing on the radar, it's unlikely the team will make a big push for first. Shea Hillenbrand is surely pleased with the overall results of his John Gibbons voodoo doll.
Boston Red Sox
Lots of discouraging losses, a few unlikely wins, and too much uncertainty for fans to simply brush off those two games back. The Sox are scrambling to find a reliable replacement for the injured captain Jason Varitek and went through five catchers last week, calling on Ken Huckaby from AAA Pawtucket, acquiring Javy Lopez, and finally adding minor leaguer Corky Miller after Doug Mirabelli twisted his ankle on Friday (definitely the "What the HELL?!" moment of the week). Pitching continues to be an issue. One of the more disconcerting things I've read recently: The last starter to record a victory besides Curt Schilling was Josh Beckett on July 24. Yes, as in two weeks ago. (Speaking of Beckett, he's looking a lot like Matt Clement these days...) Another point of concern: Jason Johnson, Kason Gabbard, David Wells, David Pauley, Lenny DiNardo, and Kyle Snyder have given the Sox a combined three wins from the No. 4-5 slot of the rotation. *gag*
Bottom line: Terry Francona needs to stop putting in waste-0f-space Julian Tavarez if he wants to, you know, win occasionally. (I really thought this would be a given by now but whatever.) And expecting the offense to carry the team to the playoffs, for David Ortiz to continue his late-inning heroics, is unrealistic. If I were Theo, I'd be freaking out right now.
New York Yankees
Those pesky Yanks are in first again and is anyone really surprised? They've remained surprisingly competitive despite a number of injuries and a mediocre pitching staff (yet another indication that George Steinbrenner must have sold his soul to the devil years ago). Kyle Farnsworth, Randy Johnson, and Sidney Ponson (to name a few) have been disappointing but the offense has stepped up. Even Cory Lidle, a laughable part of the Bobby Abreu deal, turned into fricken Cy Young in his first start with the team, giving up just one run over six innings. (Yup. These things always seem to happen to the Yankees.) Derek Jeter is having yet another stellar season, and rumors are circulating that Gary Sheffield will return from the DL in September. He's even offering to switch positions to make room for Abreu. (What? We are talking about Gary Sheffield here, correct?)
Bottom line: The Yankees are always a threat. They'll be neck and neck with the Sox right up to the end and either claim the AL East title or settle for the Wild Card. (The Tigers aren't letting up and the White Sox are slowly slipping, so it's likely the Wild Card spot will yet again go to an AL East team.) One ray of hope does exist for opposing teams: Yanks fans will continue to boo A-Rod (who, by the way, has more RBIs and homeruns than Jeter), plunging him further into depression and causing him to sever ties with his mental performance coach, something that would critically impact his game. Without all those clutch hits he's been getting, the Yanks couldn't possibly make it far into the playoffs.
Wait... DAMMIT.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
There's much excitement over prospect B.J. Upton getting called up from AAA Durham. Only that could truly lessen the blow of losing Julio Lugo to the Dodgers. Okay, so they didn't technically lose him but as one of the best offensive shortstops in the game, he'll be tough to replace. On the flip side, the Rays really couldn't afford to hold onto Lugo after this season so it's just as well they made a trade now. As for the rest of the team, Rocco Baldelli's triumphant return has been marred with soreness and bruises. Right bicep, right hamstring, etc, etc. He'll most likely sit out a game here and there the rest of the season. On a more positive note, Scott Kazmir is slated to make his first start off the DL this Friday. That should give my fantasy team a nice little boost.
Bottom line: When you're 21 games out of first place... um, yeah. The team's mindset at this point should be, "Well, maybe for the second time in our nine-year existence, we can finish fourth! Hey, anything can happen!"
Baltimore Orioles
Kris Benson is on the DL. Kevin Millar is their DH. (Ha!) And the pitching staff is positively atrocious. Why they continue to start Russ Ortiz (0-7 with a 9.86 ERA, after giving up six runs in four innings today) is beyond me. Their offense is mediocre at best (that could very well be the understatement of the year) with good ol' Miggy Tejada the only player on their active roster batting above .300. And just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, they have two of the ugliest guys in the history of Major League Baseball playing for them. (That would be Jay Gibbons and Chris Britton.)
Bottom line: The D-Rays could easily overcome them in the standings, which would be quite the eye opener. The organization really needs to assess what the hell is going on because, in addition to the team sucking in general, players are leaving and smack talking the front office with no remorse. (See: Sidney Ponson and Javy Lopez, to name two.) Peter Angelos is running the team into the ground, unwilling to put money into the organization, which will ultimately prove a fatal error with the Nationals nearby. After the Senators moved to Texas, many fans refused to latch on to the Orioles and there's no telling what will happen to their somewhat fickle fanbase if the team doesn't attempt to be more competitive.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Jays were tagged as the team to beat in the AL East this year and pretty much flew under the radar the entire season. All of a sudden, they're 9.5 games out of first and no longer a concern (if they ever really were). Roy Halladay and B.J. Ryan are forces to be reckoned with but A.J. Burnett's 3-5 record has been a huge disappointment. Lucky for them, the outfielders have stepped up tremendously with Frank Catalanatto, Alex Rios, Reed Johnson, and Vernon Wells all batting well above .300. You go, guys.
Bottom line: It's only early August so yeah, anything could happen. But without any major trades (they were said to be pushing for Julio Lugo at the deadline) and "Everyone's favorite cologne-promoting pitcher Gustavo Chacin has just one more rehab stint to go!" being the most positive thing on the radar, it's unlikely the team will make a big push for first. Shea Hillenbrand is surely pleased with the overall results of his John Gibbons voodoo doll.
Boston Red Sox
Lots of discouraging losses, a few unlikely wins, and too much uncertainty for fans to simply brush off those two games back. The Sox are scrambling to find a reliable replacement for the injured captain Jason Varitek and went through five catchers last week, calling on Ken Huckaby from AAA Pawtucket, acquiring Javy Lopez, and finally adding minor leaguer Corky Miller after Doug Mirabelli twisted his ankle on Friday (definitely the "What the HELL?!" moment of the week). Pitching continues to be an issue. One of the more disconcerting things I've read recently: The last starter to record a victory besides Curt Schilling was Josh Beckett on July 24. Yes, as in two weeks ago. (Speaking of Beckett, he's looking a lot like Matt Clement these days...) Another point of concern: Jason Johnson, Kason Gabbard, David Wells, David Pauley, Lenny DiNardo, and Kyle Snyder have given the Sox a combined three wins from the No. 4-5 slot of the rotation. *gag*
Bottom line: Terry Francona needs to stop putting in waste-0f-space Julian Tavarez if he wants to, you know, win occasionally. (I really thought this would be a given by now but whatever.) And expecting the offense to carry the team to the playoffs, for David Ortiz to continue his late-inning heroics, is unrealistic. If I were Theo, I'd be freaking out right now.
New York Yankees
Those pesky Yanks are in first again and is anyone really surprised? They've remained surprisingly competitive despite a number of injuries and a mediocre pitching staff (yet another indication that George Steinbrenner must have sold his soul to the devil years ago). Kyle Farnsworth, Randy Johnson, and Sidney Ponson (to name a few) have been disappointing but the offense has stepped up. Even Cory Lidle, a laughable part of the Bobby Abreu deal, turned into fricken Cy Young in his first start with the team, giving up just one run over six innings. (Yup. These things always seem to happen to the Yankees.) Derek Jeter is having yet another stellar season, and rumors are circulating that Gary Sheffield will return from the DL in September. He's even offering to switch positions to make room for Abreu. (What? We are talking about Gary Sheffield here, correct?)
Bottom line: The Yankees are always a threat. They'll be neck and neck with the Sox right up to the end and either claim the AL East title or settle for the Wild Card. (The Tigers aren't letting up and the White Sox are slowly slipping, so it's likely the Wild Card spot will yet again go to an AL East team.) One ray of hope does exist for opposing teams: Yanks fans will continue to boo A-Rod (who, by the way, has more RBIs and homeruns than Jeter), plunging him further into depression and causing him to sever ties with his mental performance coach, something that would critically impact his game. Without all those clutch hits he's been getting, the Yanks couldn't possibly make it far into the playoffs.
Wait... DAMMIT.
posted by Pam at 2:08 PM
2 Comments:
On Lidle: My friend's Yankee-loving dad put it the best, "it's something about those pinstripes, man!" I wholeheartedly believe him. God bless Cashman (even though it's only one game) to make him an important part of the Abreu deal, cause we needed another at least mediocre arm.
Yeah, the Twins are definitely a threat. They scare me more than the White Sox at this point, even with Liriano possibly out for the season. The offense is deadly and I think their pitching will hold up better than the White Sox's down the stretch.
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