File this away in the category of 'why can't the AL East act like a normal division for five seconds?': currently the AL East has been a race for second place, as the Yankees have an overpowering lead and all the stars. But this week, the pace has slowed tremendously, with a terrible weeklong run including a three game stretch where no runs were being scored, predominantly against the Angels, of all teams. So now the division is shifting, and it's the kind of thing where the team in second place could theoretically leap into first if they continued at literally the same pace.
For the majority of the season, the Toronto Blue Jays have been a steady 2nd place team in this division, led by some fringe-y, Cash-esque tactics of getting contact from unlikely sources. And of course, the moment things open up is the exact moment the Jays fall apart as well, meaning there's a nonzero chance that the Rays somehow become a first place team by the end of the month, which would be the worst outcome. A Rays-Astros ALCS would make me pine for carbon monoxide poisoning. Two teams propelled entirely by organizational meddling and bullshit fumes. The Rays would just engineer all the balls, all hit by no-name 29-year-olds who are about to be traded, to be hit to Jose Altuve's blind spot in left.
The Blue Jays are proof that, for the first time in a while, the AL East just doesn't have a lot going on below the top bar. The Sox have obviously struggled, the Orioles have fallen apart without proper starting, the Rays are winning games with absolutely no one, and the Jays...honestly define pure mediocrity. This team's best hitters are Addison Barger, Ernie Clement, Tyler Heineman, Myles Straw and Nathan Lukes. You put those five together and dress 'em in striped polos and they could rack up like 19 CMA awards. They are a monument to forgettable whiteness. The last time there was a group of people this bland representing a team, the Rays were boycotting pride month. And yes, I am mouthing off about some people hitting .400, in Heineman's case, or with 8 homers, in Barger's case, but like...how do you build a team around this?? How do you plan for the future when your best players are flukey utility guys. Tyler Heineman is a career backup catcher, and he is 34. You are trying to build something here. Don't get carried away with gimmicks.
Miraculously, the Jays do have a proven starter playing his worth this year, as Alejandro Kirk is currently hitting .313 with 34 RBIs and 7 homers. Kirk, somehow, has matured into a great everyday piece for these teams, is beloved by the fans, and though there are months where he doesn't have it together, the hot streaks are worth it. In June alone he's hitting .355 with 12 RBIs and 4 homers. There's a chance he squeezes into the ASG conversation, much like Guerrero, Bichette and Clement.
The Jays have somehow put together a decent, if unconventional, lineup, which is why it's so heartbreaking how pathetic the pitching has been. Berrios and Bassitt are fine but have done better. Gausman's got his ERA over 4 again. Eric Lauer has been thrust in to replace Bowden Francis and it seems to be working at the moment. The idea is that Scherzer will be back this week and stop the bleeding, but can Scherzer stay healthy for more than six weeks anymore? I mean, unlike Verlander at least he's on target when he's healthy but he's barely ever healthy anymore.
The Jays have some massive flaws, yet have won games despite them. I'd love to see them fight through their bad luck and cement second again. Who knows if they'll allow that to happen.
Coming Tomorrow- A pitcher whose team just broke a massive losing streak in wild fashion.
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