AL East Biggest Story During Inter League Action
Thursday June 21, 2012 : AL East Biggest Story During Inter League Action
The American League East is often considered the toughest division in sports, because every game from April to October feels like the most important game of the year. Up until the start of June, only three games separated first from last in the division. This past weekend during interleague play, we got to see just how good the AL East is in comparison to the rest of the league, as all five teams found success against their MLB betting opponents. Today we’ll be looking at why the AL East has been the biggest story of interleague play.
Entering the season, many fans and analysts alike expected this to be the year that the New York Yankees took a step back. After all, the offense was aging, and the loss of Michael Pineda for the season, was supposed to make the rotation a huge question mark. Then to make matters worse, hall of fame closer Mariano Rivera suffered a season ending knee injury. With such uncertainty around them, the Yankees just did what the Yankees always do, find a way to win. Along with ace CC Sabathia, the Yankees rotation has been a strong point, as Ivan Nova and Phil Hughes appear to have taken the next steps in their development as young pitchers. Rafael Soriano has taken over closing duties, and the offense has helped guide the Bronx Bombers to its current 10 game-winning streak.
The rotation has become a huge story in New York, as the return of hall of fame pitcher Andy Pettitte, has solidified what was once a question mark. During the aforementioned 10 game win streak, the Yankees rotation has managed to pitch an average of seven and two thirds innings. As a result, the bullpen, which many feared would be taxed due to Nova and Hughes inexperience, has actually been well rested. For this reason, the Yankees once again appear poised for a trip to the betting online post season.
Another team in the AL East that was expected to be a big story this season was the youthful Toronto Blue Jays. With the Yankees and Boston Red Sox each anticipated to decline, this year was supposed to be the one in which the Blue Jays finally got back to the post season. With the addition of the second wild card in each division, Toronto could get in and possibly make some noise. That was until last week, when the injury bug wiped out the starting rotation in a four day span. Brandon Morrow and Drew Hutchison combined to throw 18 pitches (nine each) before having to leave their starts, while Kyle Drabek blew out his elbow in his start. All three now find themselves on the disabled list, with Drabek done for the year, Hutchison possibly joining him, and Morrow needing at least a month to recover from a strained oblique. What started out, as an optimistic season potentially could be disastrous.
Nevertheless, the depleted Blue Jays still managed to sweep the Philadelphia Phillies, before losing a nail biter in game one to the Milwaukee Brewers last night. The loss of Drabek for the year meant Brett Cecil was able to return to the rotation. Once a highly touted prospect, Cecil has had mechanical issues deter his development. Luckily, if Sunday’s victory against the Phillies is any indication, Cecil should be just fine. On the other hand, if the Blue Jays stand any chance at making a run to the playoffs, they will need to acquire more starting pitching.
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