Earlier than the common season began, I wrote an article predicting that the AL East would look extra like the way it had fifteen years in the past, with the Red Sox and Yankees vying for first place, and the remainder of the AL East scuffling and making an attempt to catch up. Given the excessive expectations across the Crimson Sox previous to the start of the season, and given sure caveats in opposition to groups not named the Yankees or Crimson Sox, I used to be fairly assured on this take. I even believed in an actual chance of an Orioles vs. Crimson Sox Wild Card.
Effectively name me a monkey’s uncle or one thing! As a result of that’s not what has been taking place! The Blue Jays at the moment sit in first place within the division after sweeping the Yankees in a four-game set. The Rays, as I write this, are one recreation behind them, and the Yankees are tied at second with them. The Crimson Sox are in fourth place with a sub-500 document, and the Orioles are extra abysmal than anybody might have ever predicted, even the Orioles followers who noticed their offseason occur in entrance of their eyes.
John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Photographs
The Blue Jays, once they click on, actually click on. So do the Crimson Sox, however they’ve gotten in their very own method too many occasions to rely. They’re performing beneath expectations, ensuing within the document they at the moment have. The Rays are benefiting from their spring-training stadium being what it’s, along with having a strong staff that’s not getting injured. In the meantime, the Yankees are of their annual Summer season Swoon, however they’re performing particularly badly in opposition to AL East opponents this yr (keep in mind how the Sox swept them and in addition gained a collection in opposition to them?), which has marred their rating within the divisional standings. As for the Orioles, it’s nearly undoubtedly too late to salvage their season. We aren’t going to be seeing them within the Wild Card this yr, not to mention the postseason, because of their horrendous rotation and un-clutch offense. (UrinatingTree on Youtube made an incredible video about their season up to now, which you’ll watch here.)
If we name this time “Proper Earlier than the All-Star Break”, did anybody predict the Blue Jays in first? Did anybody predict the Crimson Sox in fourth? And probably the most baffling one—did anybody predict the Yankees in third, even when it was for all of a second? I definitely didn’t! Issues might definitely change within the ten days earlier than the All-Star break, and nearly undoubtedly will after the break. Who is aware of if even a few of my authentic prediction comes true? It nonetheless might! However for now, I used to be completely mistaken.
