As odd as it may sound, seeing that it’s averaging 50 degrees today in Connecticut, we’ve reached one quarter of the way through the MLB season. Although many say that the MLB season doesn’t truly begin until after the all-star break, there are some things that we’ve learned thus far into the season. Let’s take a look at the American League East and go through the take aways.
Toronto Blue Jays
The national story here has certainly been Vladimir Guerrero Jr., since the Jays seem to be out of contention even before the season hits its half way mark. Unfortunately, Guerrero’s start has been dismal at best. On the early afternoon of May 13th, he’s hitting .191 with a .283 OBP and 0 home runs, this for a man who’s moonshots have been the talk of the MILB. But, baseball fans know that slow starts to careers mean next to nothing - cite Aaron Judge (.179 BA in first 84 ABs), Randy Johnson, Jose Bautista. I stand by my prediction that Vlad Jr. will win the AL Rookie of the Year Award...unless Gio Urshella continues his unprecedented start. Thankfully for Blue Jays fans, Eric Sogard has been a welcome addition to the team. The veteran is hitting over .300 and an OBP over .400.
Baltimore Orioles
Well, can’t say we didn’t expect a down season for the Orioles (who ironically swept the Yankees in the beginning of the season). But we certainly didn’t expect a .350 winning percentage. Trey Mancini has been the focal point of the O’s season so far, at 27 he’s on pace to have the best season of his career. Hopefully he gets traded to a team in contention at the trade deadline later this year...maybe even to an AL East foe?
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Who would’ve thought the little brothers of the powerhouse New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox would be leading the AL East in May? Unfortunately, star pitcher Tyler Glasnow will be out until late June due to a forearm injury. He has been the centerpiece of the team thus far, posting a 1.86 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 6 W’s, and only 9 BB. This will hurt them, especially with the Yankees and Red Sox breathing down their necks. Brandon Lowe, Yandi Diaz, Ji-Man Choi, Tommy Pharm, and Avisail Garcia will have to keep up their solid starts in order for the Rays to stay put at the top.
Boston Red Sox
Oh, the Red Sox. This team has been very interesting so far. Most fans were sounding the alarm and calling off the duck boats on April 10th, but the Sox have pulled themselves together these last few weeks. Mookie and JD have carried them - although both have taken steps backward. But the big story has been Chris Sale, who started the season as a giant eyesore, has pulled it together his last four starts. In total, he has had 42 K’s in his last four starts against only 6 walks. It’s very refreshing to see Sale back to his old self, look for the Sox continue to improve and show the league why they had a historic season last year.
New York Yankees
The New York Who-Are-These-Guys Yankees are somehow in second place in the AL East after being absolutely riddled with injuries. The likes of Judge, Stanton, Tulowitzki, Sanchez, Hicks, Gregorious, Andujar, Severino, and Betances have all spent time on the IL this season (and many of those names are still injured). The Yanks have relied on DJ LaMahieu (a HUGE offseason addition), Gary Sanchez, Luke Voit, and Gio Urshella to get them through this trying start to the 2019 saeason. Urshella is hitting .341, which is the best BA of any AL player with at least 100 plate appearances, Sanchez has 11 HR in only 92 ABs. If I had to pick one piece that has meant the most to the Yankees, it has to be DJ LaMahieu, who is hitting .333 and has been the epitome of consistency in this young season.
The AL East has had an interesting beginning of 2019. The Rays have been a nice story, and are a hard team not to root for, but I’d look for this to truly be a three team race as we head towards the halfway mark of the season. With a Chris Sale pitching like Chris Sale does, it’s hard not to pick the defending champs. However, look at what New York is doing with a completely depleted roster. Barring any craziness, the Yanks could have a historic season when their stars come back.
-Jeff Warcholik
5/13/2019
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