MLB Tribune

AL East Muscle Better Watch Out

by Scooter on 05/16/2010 in MLB News

The New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays are on top of the AL East and baseballs toughest division, but both teams better not get too cocky, because the Toronto Blue Jays are hanging in there and are only 4 games back from the leader.

The Toronto Blue Jays are playing well and are (22-16) and have won three games in a row. The team is led by Vernon Wells who leads in Batting Average, Homeruns and Runs Batted In (304/10/29). As a team they’re only batting .241 which is ranked 25^th in the league, but they seem to know how to win games regardless.

The pitching led by Ricky Romero (4 wins) and Shaun Marcum (2.78 ERA) are it getting the job done, but again, the team ERA is ranked 18^th with a 4.29 team ERA.

The Blue Jays have a relatively easy schedule for the rest of the month. They will face the Twins, Mariners, Diamond Backs, Dodgers, Orioles and the Rays.

The big surprise is Alex Gonzalez (.257/10 HR/28 RBI) who is having a better than expected season according to manager Cito Gaston.

“I hate to call it a surprise, because I expect the best out of everybody. But I think he’s surprised a lot of people, because I think more people think about…”

If the Blue Jays can stay close, they could give both the Yankees and Rays a run for their money.