For whichever team comes out on top in the AL East, it will have earned the title.
This race couldn’t be much tighter nearing the final month. Three teams are separated by only three games. The difference between first place and fourth place? Just 6.5 games.
The trio at the head of the division share a common trait as the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays each rank among the AL’s top five in runs scored and among the top seven in homers.
For the Jays, they are picking up from the accomplishments during a potent 2015. The offense led just about every major category and compiled an MLB-best 232 long balls en route to the AL East crown and a trip to the franchise’s first ALCS appearance in 22 years.
Fast forward a year, and things are much the same. Juan Encarnacion has gone deep 36 times and driven in 106 (both tops on the Toronto roster). Josh Donaldson isn’t too far behind: 33 round-trippers complemented by 91 RBIs. He also appears to be regaining that MVP form at just the right time — as he drilled three home runs in a Sunday afternoon victory over the Minnesota Twins.
The heroics of Donaldson — along with the rest of the Blue Jay bats — have become expected.
But it’s the pitching staff, boasting the American League’s best ERA, is undoubebtly the year’s pleasant surprise and the main reason why Toronto holds the edge over its divisional competition.
The most unexpected member of this unheralded rotation is Aaron Sanchez, a 24-year-old who won 11 of his first 12 starts and had a 1.59 ERA during the month of July (to lower his season ERA to under 3.00).
But as his innings accumulated, team management became more cautious. Following his August 20 outing against Cleveland, Sanchez was sent to the minors to conserve his workload. However, he is expected back with the big league club when the rosters expand at the start of September.
Prior to J.A. Happ’s defeat to the Angels on Aug. 25, his previous loss came way back on June 6. In between was 11 consecutive victories (to bring his season total to 17) and nine quality starts. Marco Estrada, meanwhile, leads all starters with a 1.10 WHIP and 8.32 strikeouts per nine innings.
Even though the bullpen remains suspect, the Blue Jays’ starting pitching gives them the balance that they lacked before their previous postseason quest.
Talent aside, it doesn’t hurt to get a bit of good fortune. Toronto experienced that first-hand on Saturday afternoon. The Twins provided the gift: an outfield misplay on a Melvin Upton Jr. triple allowed the newly-acquired Jay to scamper all the way home. It capped a comeback from five runs down, eventuating in a thrilling 8-7 win.
For a pennant race where the margin of error is razor thin, a little luck can go a long way.
In 2015, the Blue Jays managed to overcome average pitching and powered their way to within a couple games of the World Series. Possessing strength on offense and on the mound, Toronto is well-armed to take itself to the Fall Classic in 2016.
