MLB Standings: New York Yankees Struggling, Boston Red Sox Lead AL East Division
The Boston Red Sox are trying to go from worst to first yet again.
Currently 6-3, the Red Sox lead the American League East ahead of the Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees. This Red Sox team orchestrates in a very unique manner. Over the last three consecutive seasons, the Red Sox have finished last, won a World Series and finished last yet again.
Red Sox fans are hoping that theme continues.
The additions of Latin American stars Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval (shown above) are paying off so far. Sandoval has a .306 batting average, and ranks third on the team with 11 hits. Ramirez is off to a powerful start at the plate, having a team-leading five home runs and .611 slugging percentage. Combined with David Ortiz, the Red Sox have the ultimate Latino trio set for a postseason run.
The Orioles, Blue Jays and Rays are all tied with an identical 5-4 record to start off this season. The AL East has featured three different winners in the last three years, so baseball fans should get a race to the finish.
The Orioles won the division last season with 96 victories, but they no longer have Nelson Cruz in their lineup. Cruz led the Orioles in home runs last season with 40. Adam Jones leads the Orioles in total hits with 13 as well as four home runs. We haven't seen the Orioles make the playoffs in consecutive seasons since 1996 and 1997. This squad led all of baseball in home runs hit last season, so they know how to score runs.
It's still early, but the Yankees are at the bottom of the AL East at 3-6. The Bronx Bombers are struggling to hit the ball, and Masahiro Tanaka has elbow pain. All the drama has been surrounding Alex Rodriguez, who is approaching the 600 home run mark. If and when Rodriguez hits No. 600, he is due a $6 million bonus, which the Yankees may fight to pay.
Without Derek Jeter on the roster, the pinstripes need a new leader going forward. The Yankees have missed the playoffs last two seasons, and this pitching staff has major concerns. The Yankees win total has decreased the last four consecutive seasons.
The Blue Jays and Rays are also tied at 5-4. The Rays will take on the Yankees in their next series. It will be interesting to see how the Rays pitching staff does this season without David Price for the first time since 2007. The Rays don't have high expectations this season, but they could be a dark horse team in the AL for a possible wild card spot.
The Blue Jays have had a very impressive start to the season offensively. Devon Travis, Jose Reyes and Kevin Pillar are all batting above .300 so far. Edwin Encarnacion has been struggling at the plate, but there's no reason to panic just yet. The Blue Jays haven't made the playoffs since 1993, when they won the World Series.
AL East Standings
1. Boston Red Sox: 6-3
2. Baltimore Orioles: 5-4
3. Toronto Blue Jays: 5-4
4. Tampa Bay Rays: 5-4
5. New York Yankees: 3-6
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