American League East standings via MLB.com
Baltimore Orioles
“I think this is going to be a good season for the Orioles!” -Quoth my former roommate, Mary of Maryland, who does not watch baseball, but is proud of her Baltimorean heritage nonetheless. Well, folks, looks like her bold prediction, which was actually made out of snark, disregard for fact, and self-loathing, could actually be right…?
Well, the Orioles are doing a lot right this season. And they only just got all shook up wheh the Rays scooted in beside them at first place. But maybe there could be room for the both of ‘em up top? You’re right, probably not… so go at it, guys.
The Orioles threw a great chunk o’ change at their star Adam Jones (now second-best paid outfielder after Matt Kemp) with an $85.5 million contract extension. Yowza.
The club also did some shuffling of the roster on Friday. Stu Pomeranz and Ronny Paulino were recalled from Norfolk, and catcher Luis Exposito was optioned and Bill Hall was designated for assignment.
For more on the Orioles, visit Charm City Yakyuu.
Tampa Bay Rays
Say hey, the Rays have tied it up for first place in the AL East. The club (managers specifically) of Tampa Bay had a little cat fight over a HBP this weekend with Boston. You know, the usual “You’re immature. Whatever. And stuff.” -Not an actual quote from Bobby V.
So then the Rays got all up on that and showed them who’s boss… the way it should be. Not with a press conference. With a freaking win of course. So it was like the Rays said: “Guess who’s in first place? Bet you can’t even see us from all the way down there, now can ya? And stuff.” -Also not an actual quote from Joe Maddon.
Also, B.J. Upton is finally convincing fans that he really has the swing of things at the plate. B.J. is batting .303 with four homers and 16 RBI. And about that walk-off win in the eleventh against the Blue Jays? That certainly quieted them down a bit.
For more on the Rays, visit Cowbell Clankers.
New York Yankees
These guys are sneaky. You stop paying attention to those guys in da Bronx for a little while, you forget who you’re dealing with, and then bam! They climb from fourth place to third. Rats!
Suddenly they’re sweeping up the dust they crushed the Oakland Athletics into, and the guys with the big paychecks actually start earning them (well, sorta) with their big bats. Cano, Swisher, and Teixeira hitting homies. And then. None can forget about the captain, Derek Jeter, who just passed HOFer George Brett on the all-time hit list for 14th place. So I mean, maybe someday Jeter might make it into the HOF with all those other old dudes on the list he’s been passing since the season started. Maybe.
In other news, Brett Gardner (elbow) is projected to be due back in June… perhaps. Meanwhile Joba Chamberlin (ankle) was playing catch. Catcher Russell Martin was out of the lineup Sunday with a stiff neck, but he has not been hitting well as of late… see Figure .173
For more on the Yankees, visit Second Place Is Not An Option.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Jays have finally fallen from their bronze placeholder… and given up the third-best seat in the AL East to none other than the Yankees (see above). Toronto is, however, still playing ball at .500, which ain’t too shabby, but obviously is not enough to contend in the no-prisoners division.
The Blue Jays fell to the Rangers with a frightening loss of 12-6 that… the Rangers can proudly say boasted a 7-run second inning. Jinkies! Kyle Drabek was not doing his job right, to say the least. Drabek gave up nine runs in the first three innings of play, and it was no wonder that even J.P. Arencibia’s contribution of two longshots was no match for the Jays’ defensive woes.
In the injury department, enter Santos, who’s return date is still unknown, and Yunel Escobar who left the game early on Sunday afternoon with a groin injury he sustained while running the bases. Also, Kelly Johnson missed a second game for soreness in his hamstring.
For more on the Blue Jays, visit Way Of The Jay.
Boston Red Sox
The Sox are still looking paltry in the win category. I think it might not be too bold to say they are experiencing what I have recently known to call PCDS… Post-Coach Depressive Syndrome. It’s kinda like what happened to the Lakers… except the Lakers actually made it to the post-season.
The best thing that happened to the Red Sox might have been Jarrod Saltalamacchia’s two run walk-off home run against the Rays on Saturday night. It was the first walk-off win of 2012 for the Sox.
Kevin Youkilis, welcome back…! Boston’s favorite burly man launched a homer in his return against Baltimore, but his team could not back him up, and they fell to the O’s. Cody Ross is still healing from a fracture in his foot. OF Ryan Sweeney should return soon from his concussion, he will be eligible to be reactivated on Monday. Darnell McDonald is eligible to return on Tuesday.
For more on the Red Sox, visit Fenway Fatales.
