The AL Least

There was a time when the American League East was the powerhouse of baseball. Whether it was the Yankees and Red Sox or the Yankees and Orioles, teams around baseball were concerned about playing teams out of the AL East. Last season was the first since 2002 that the AL East did not provide the wild card team for the post season.

The Yankees were the only team to eclipse 90 wins last season and Boston is the only team this year above .500. The Sox jumped out of the gate fast, but have only played .500 ball over the last 34 games. But injuries and poor play by the Blue Jays and Yankees have helped them build a seemingly insurmountable double digit lead.

The Sox have won primarily on their pitching, both starting and the pen. This is not the Boston mashers that we've seen in the past. But their lineup is good enough. One of the biggest obstacles for the Yankees is the schedule. They play the Sox only 6 more times.

The Orioles were a powerhouse in the mid 1960 to the mid 1970's. They had strong teams sprinkled throughout the 80's and 90's, but owner Peter Angelos has done everything he can to make them an also-ran. It remains to be seen if his hiring of Andy McPhail will make a difference and if he can butt out.

The Devil Rays also show promise of getting better, but it just never happens. They recently lost 11 in a row and dropped 13 of 14 going into the break. The team has a bunch of young stars and a resurgent Carlos Pena, but just can't pitch. Even ace Scott Kazmir has been less than ordinary this season.

The Jays thought they were on the cusp of getting back into things when they passed Boston to finish in 2nd place last season. They made a lot of free agent and trade moves before the '06 season and re-signed their star, Vernon Wells, but things haven't worked out this year at all. Closer B.J. Ryan had to have Tommy John Surgery, Reed Johnson underwent back surgery and A.J. Burnett has been disabled several times. Everyone though the Jays were nuts when they gave Burnett a 5-yr, $55 million contract. Now GM J.P. Ricciardi (what is it with these guys and initials?) has publicly blasted Burnett for not pitching threw pain and being a waste of money. That has nowhere good to go.

After watching the play of Detroit, Cleveland, and LA (this past weekend against the Yankees not withstanding), one can't imagine an AL East team getting past the first round of the playoffs.