Let's take a look at the East, starting with Toronto:
The Blue Jays are falling apart. They are now in last place, 13-18, 7.5 games behind. Six losses in a row. 8 of the last 10 games ending in defeat. The Toronto media is starting to get on GM J.P. Riccciardi's ass - from today's Toronto Star:
"Would you buy a used car, or a used relief pitcher, from a guy who admits he has lied about what was ailing one of his key and most expensive assets, B.J. Ryan, in spring training?
Ricciardi told the media (and the teams' customers, by extension) that Ryan was sidelined with a back problem. Last week, he admitted it was a lie, that in fact there was no back problem, but rather an elbow injury that has since seen the closer shelved until at least June."
The Rangers completed a three game sweep over the Jays yesterday with a 3-2 victory. After simply out-slugging the Jays for the first two games, the Rangers won yesterday because Kameron Loe outpitched A.J. Burnett. Prior to this series, the Jays were swept by Cleveland. Toronto is now 0-6 for the month of May.
After today's offday, the Jays play host to the 1st place Red Sox for a three game set. They need to do some damage in this series to get back into the race. Unfortunately, the matchups don't look good: Victor Zambrano (5.63 ERA) goes first against the Sox's Josh Beckett (6-0, 2.72 ERA). Tomo Okha battles Daisuke Matsuzaka in a battle of Japanese pitchers with ERAs over 5. The Jays have to take one of those two games, and hope ace Roy Halladay can bounce back from the drubbing he caught on Saturday night when he gave 12 hits and 9 ERs in 5 1/3 IP. Hopefully not having to see Michael Young and Mark Texiera will make it help. Halladay faces Time Wakefield in the third and final game of the series.
On to the Yankees... they have made some big noise over the last week. First phenom Phil Hughes makes a loud statement backing the preseason claims of scouts that he is the best pitcher in all the minor leagues, pitching a no-hitter for 6 2/3 innings against that slugging Texas team before being removed. Then Wang reminded everyone that he is the now and future ace of this team, dominating the Mariners for 7 1/3 perfect innings. The Yankees had a big week, and are now 14-15, in second place, 5.5 games behind the still hot Red Sox. Oh, yeah, there was that Roger Clemens thing, too.
The Rocket's record last year was 7-6 with a 2.30 ERA. That would have lead the league in ERA (by a good margin) had he qualified with enough innings. This is a solid signing that will bolster the ragtag rotation.
They are 5-1 this month, the only blemish being the 15-11 lose to the Mariners which probably signalled the end of Kei Igawa's career as a starter for a little while. While he works out his control issues from the bullpen, here is the Yankees starter tonight: Matt DeSalvo, the sixth rookie starter they have used this season. As bad as the present looks, this is what the rotation might look at on June 1st:
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