So much for surprise. More than a quarter through the season, the American League East remains as competitive as most expected. Still, the standings include a few wrinkles. Among preseason perceptions worth revisiting ... Prediction: This will be a down year for the New York Yankees. Fact: Despite a number of ailments to stars, including a setback to Derek Jeter’s injured left ankle, New York clings to a half-game lead in the division. Prediction: The Toronto Blue Jays, with a revamped roster by way of a blockbuster offseason trade with the Miami Marlins, will contend after years of irrelevance. Fact: The Blue Jays, who have sunk as far as 11 games below .500 twice, have become familiar with the division’s basement. Prediction: The Tampa Bay Rays, with pitching from closer Fernando Rodney and returning American League Cy Young Award winner David Price, should be one of the division’s most consistent teams on the mound. Fact: The Rays have received strong pitching efforts (see: Matt Moore), but Rodney and Price have been shaky compared to their efforts last season. Still, for Tampa Bay, there remains time to move upward. Despite inconsistency through 46 games, the Rays are four games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. The two teams begin a three-game series at 7:10 p.m. ET Friday at Tropicana Field. Here’s a closer look at how the AL East has unfolded to date. Strength: Pitching is a large reason for the Yankees’ surprise start this season. With a 3.58 staff ERA, they rank second in the American League in the category (behind the Texas Rangers’ 3.48) and eighth overall in the majors.
Weakness: At some point, it seems a lack of depth would catchup to New York. All these names have made recent stops to Tampa, Fla., for rehab work: Alex Rodriguez, Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira, Kevin Youkilis, Francisco Cervelli, Ivan Nova, Michael Pineda, Cesar Cabral and Derek Jeter. Recognize a few?
Best development: Many thought New York’s fall would be swift and hard. But forty-six games into the season, the hobbled Yankees are not just surviving, they’re standing atop of the American League East. As strong as the start is, though, it begs the question …
Biggest question: How long will this last? Granderson is back, batting .269 in seven games (7-for-26 with one RBI), but New York’s roster still lacks most of its star power. You would be hard-pressed to find a group that has overachieved more through the season’s first quarter, but it seems the Yankees’ margin for error is small.
Strength: Mike Napoli and David Ortiz have provided the bulk of Boston’s power, combining for 14 home runs and 66 RBI between them. Overall, the Red Sox have produced 224 RBI, second-most in the majors behind the Detroit Tigers’ 233.
Weakness: With Clay Buchholz’s hot start (7-0 with a 1.73 ERA), it would appear Boston’s pitching would be one of its greatest strengths. However, Red Sox pitchers has faltered recently and now rank 11th in the American League with a 3.79 staff ERA.
Best development: Boston has buried 2012’s ghosts. After a 20-8 start this season under new manager John Farrell, the sour memory of 69-83 has not lingered.
Biggest question: Can the Red Sox regain their April spark? Boston remains in a solid position chasing New York at the top of the division, but the Red Sox have leveled off since climbing to 12 games above .500 after play May 2. Strength: Chris Davis is a one-man wrecking crew from the plate. He began with 17 RBI through his first five games. Currently, he’s batting .329 (52-for-158) and is second in the majors with 43 RBI, behind the 52 from the Detroit Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera.
Weakness: Sustained winning streaks have been a problem since the second week of May, preventing them from climbing to the top of the division with New York and Boston. Baltimore has lost eight of 12 games since May 9 in matchups against the Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres, Rays and Yankees.
Best development: The combination of Davis and Adam Jones. Behind Davis, Jones has earned 30 RBI and is batting .316 (61-for-193). The dual threat gives the Orioles a chance no matter whom they play.
Biggest question: Can they take it to the next level? An opening is present with the Yankees’ patchwork lineup and the Red Sox’s inconsistent pitching. Baltimore has the weapons to remain in the AL East race. Tampa Bay Rays (24-22, 4th) Strength: James Loney (.350) and Evan Longoria (.335) have emerged as two of the American League’s most dangerous hitters. Between them, they have 51 RBI and 27 doubles.
Weakness: Strong in this category last year, the Rays have struggled to close out opponents. They have blown nine leads in the seventh inning or later and are 2-7 in those games.
Best development: David Price’s difficulties are well documented, but left-hander Matt Moore has emerged as the Rays’ most dependable option on the mound. He’s 8-0 with a 2.29 ERA in nine appearances after a shaky spring training session.
Biggest question: Will Price and closer Fernando Rodney find their old form? The Rays have the offense to contend at the top of the division all season. But pitching from Price and the bullpen – and surprisingly, Rodney – has been suspect.
Toronto Blue Jays (19-27, 5th) Strength: This is simple. Watch Edwin Encarnacion (12 home runs) and Jose Bautista (11) long enough, and you are bound to see something sail out of the ballpark. In a letdown season so far north of the border, these two are bright spots.
Weakness: The cliché is true: Absence makes the heart grow fonder … even on the diamond. A left ankle sprain to shortstop Jose Reyes in April has left a large gap in the Blue Jays’ middle infield. Reyes, brought over from the Miami Marlins in a controversial offseason trade, was thought to be a focal point of Toronto’s new-look roster. But he will likely be out until the All-Star break.
Best development: Well, it’s still early. That’s about all you can say. So much more was expected from the revamped Blue Jays, but they are one of the largest busts in the American League.
Biggest question: Will this come together at all? This is a lineup that includes Bautista, Encarnacion, R.A. Dickey and, someday once again, Reyes. There is too much talent in Toronto’s clubhouse to be floundering eight games below .500. It’s hard to argue with what Chris Davis has done. He began about as hot as a player can, and he remains one of the majors’ most dangerous bats. With a .329 batting average, 43 RBI and 14 home runs (tied for a major league high), he gives the Baltimore Orioles a chance to contend throughout the season. This is a division of power hitters – from Robinson Cano to Evan Longoria, from Mike Napoli to Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion. Currently, Davis is the class of them all. Who has had more fires to put out than Joe Girardi? From the injuries to the never-ending A-Rod circus, the New York Yankees skipper has somehow kept the pinstripes from sinking during the season’s early stretch. Granted, it is logical to think that the Yankees would be much better if all their high-priced names were actually contributing instead of nursing injuries. But Girardi was dealt a tough hand, and he has made the most of a hard situation. The Toronto Blue Jays were the division’s sleeper in the spring, and they remain so even with a litany of injuries. Yes, the Blue Jays have underwhelmed. Yes, they have underachieved. Yes, they stand as one of the larger disappointments in recent memory. But if production meets promise, especially after Jose Reyes returns, they could become a factor in a wide-open AL East race. Never dismiss a lineup with Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion swinging as two of the game’s best power hitters. Obviously, the AL East race can go many ways in the coming months. Even with the Rays’ inconsistent play, they remain within striking distance of the division’s current leaders. With James Loney, Evan Longoria and Matt Moore playing as three of the majors’ best in their respective roles, Tampa Bay remains a threat to contend for the division title. David Price and Fernando Rodney are mysteries, as is the slide that a normally strong bullpen has experienced of late, but the Rays still find themselves as a factor. A strong showing against the Yankees at Tropicana Field in the next three games can enhance their place in the standings.
You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.
