The American League East long ago earned the reputation of being a backbreaker. Of course, much of that stemmed from the Goliaths at the top, the Yankees and the Red Sox. Not anymore. Labor Day has come and gone and four teams in the division remain in contention for a spot in baseball’s newly expanded postseason. Only the Red Sox appear to be on the outside looking in, although they have yet to be mathematically eliminated.
Given the competitiveness of the division, The Athletic‘s AL East crew answered questions about each team as they navigate the season’s homestretch.
What is one reason a fan should put down money to watch this team play in September?
Blue Jays: When they’re clicking, the Blue Jays have one of the most exciting offenses in baseball with power up and down the lineup. They’re also a team that has a flair for the dramatic so trust me when I tell you, you’re usually getting your money’s worth watching them. If that’s not your fancy, they’ve also got two of the best starters in the AL in Alek Manoah and Kevin Gausman. Those two can put on a show just on their own. But when the bats are going at the same time, it can be fun to watch. — Kaitlyn McGrath
Orioles: Because they are the frickin’ Orioles and they have a chance to be over .500 and to make the playoffs for the first time in six years. They’re a collection of castoffs and up-and-comers and have meshed into a dangerous group that believes in itself and is never, ever out of a game. Plus, they are built on a strong defense and an electric bullpen. And that’s always fun to watch. — Dan Connolly
Red Sox: Because this team is going to look very different come April. This final month might be the last chance to see Xander Bogaerts in a Red Sox uniform. He’s almost certain to opt out this winter, joining JD Martinez, Nathan Eovaldi, Kiké Hernández and Rich Hill in free agency. The long-term future of Rafael Devers is also very much up in the air (this winter will be his last round of arbitration; Mookie Betts was traded at that stage of his career). If you’re interested in something a little more hopeful: This month should also provide a few more chances to see Brayan Bello and Garrett Whitlock on the mound, and it just might provide the first chance to see Triston Casas in a big-league batter’s box. — Chad Jennings
Rays: Mostly, for the pitching. Hopefully for the Rays and their viewers, the shoulder impingement that recently forced Shane McClanahan to miss a start won’t be a long-term thing. But the team has pulled its annual magic trick of finding impressive hurlers from unexpected places. McClanahan, Jeffrey Springs, Drew Rasmussen, Jason Adam, and the return of a better-than-ever Pete Fairbanks are this year’s crew worth watching. On the hitting side, it’s a different hero every night. But there’s one star, who when hot, can be appointment viewing all by himself: Randy Arozarena. The outfielder was the first rookie position player to win an ALCS MVP. In the second half of this season, he is approaching that stratosphere again. — Eno Sarris
Yankees: Because Aaron Judge is in pursuit of breaking Roger Maris’ single-season franchise record of 61 home runs, and who knows if we’re approaching the end of his Yankees career with free agency beckoning this offseason. Judge is having one of the best individual seasons in modern baseball history. With the Yankees’ offense cratering, Judge has been one of the only reasons to watch this team of late. — Chris Kirschner
Aaron Judge. (Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
If this team misses the postseason, what will be the biggest reason why?
Blue Jays: Because they never played their best brand of baseball. The Blue Jays have had moments when their offense looked unbeatable, and other stretches where their pitching carried the day. Sometimes those two elements have come together and allowed the Blue Jays to look like they can beat any team. But those stretches haven’t been sustained. Players have used the word “streaky” to describe their team. They’ve had hot runs, cold runs and everything in between. If they miss the postseason, it’ll be because they didn’t put it all together down the stretch when it mattered most. — McGrath
Orioles: It turned midnight. … For the Orioles to fall out of the race, their tremendous bullpen probably has to hit the wall after carrying the club the whole year. Despite how excellent the relievers have been, most have never spent a full season pitching in the majors, and so we don’t know how they’ll react to the September spotlight after appearing in roughly 50 games each already. That can be remedied if the starting rotation, which has been better of late, pitches deeper into games. The offense probably won’t get worse; there is plenty of room for a surge there. — Connolly
Red Sox: The biggest reason is probably injuries — the rotation became too short-handed, which had a trickle-down effect on the bullpen — but injuries don’t tell the whole story. The Red Sox bullpen was shaky coming into the season, and its flaws were thoroughly exposed. The lineup also was far less potent than expected. Some of that was Trevor Story missing a month and a half, but also Bogaerts and Martinez didn’t hit for their usual power, and both first base and right field were glaring holes (which, like the bullpen, could have been better addressed in the offseason). — Jennings
Rays: An injury that shuts down McClanahan for the rest of the season would be devastating to this Rays team, which this season has already lost the most production to the injured list. But if Wander Franco doesn’t eventually come back and help lengthen the middle of the lineup, that might be more devastating. The only potential playoff teams that score less than the Rays are the Orioles and Mariners. They can’t afford to lose much punch, especially from a player who makes contact, since the Rays are seventh in the majors in batter strikeout rate. The Rays don’t have power like the Braves, which is the only other playoff team right now that strikes out more. — Sarris
Yankees: It would take a stunning collapse for the Yankees not to make the playoffs at all considering that they were once on pace to be the best regular season team ever. That pace has slowed dramatically since the start of July but the Yankees are still seven games ahead of the Rays for second place. If they somehow have a historic collapse to end the season, it’ll be because the offense around Judge continues to fail and somehow gets worse. It’s hard not to pencil in the Yankees for the postseason, though, despite how poorly they’ve been playing. — Kirschner
Which player has the most to play for or prove in the season’s final month?
Blue Jays: Certainly starter Ross Stripling could earn himself a nice payday if he becomes a postseason hero. He’s the only player on the Blue Jays who will enter free agency this winter in search of a long-term contract. But the player with the most to prove is Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The first baseman is having a good year, but he’s capable of being one of, if not the best, hitter in baseball. Before the season, Guerrero told reporters, “What we did last year was a trailer. Now, you guys are going to see the movie.” He raised the expectations and, even though he’s only 23 years old, the offense revolves around him. He can change a game with one swing. It rests on Guerrero, and to an extent Bo Bichette as well, to produce their best baseball in September. They’re the present and future of the team. — McGrath
Bo Bichette, left, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Dan Hamilton / USA Today)
Orioles: Most of the players on this team are either here for this next chapter or are trade bait/waiver fodder. Shortstop Jorge Mateo is stuck in the middle. Next to catcher Adley Rutschman, he may be the Orioles’ most important player this season. His defense has mostly been outstanding, his speed changes games and his hitting has improved in the second half. And he’s only 27. But the Orioles have left-side infield options on the doorstep of the majors. Another strong month of the season certainly helps Mateo cement his place as the starting shortstop heading into 2023. He certainly has the talent to make that happen. — Connolly
Red Sox: There are two ways to look at this. The first is that Bogaerts, Martinez, Hernández and Eovaldi might need a return-to-form month if they want to maximize their free agent value in the offseason. The other is that Brayan Bello might be able to pitch his way into the Opening Day rotation for 2023, and Bobby Dalbec might be able to convince the Red Sox that he still has a role to play as a power bat off the bench, and that various middle-inning relievers — recent call-up Zack Kelly in particular — might be pitching for their big league viability. With so much turnover, there’s a lot of uncertainty going forward, which leaves a lot of players with something to prove. — Jennings
Rays: In terms of playing for a contract next year, 36-year-old Corey Kluber and 35-year-old David Peralta have the most to play for. If Tyler Glasnow comes back and pitches, he’ll have plenty to play for personally as he tries to prove he’s healthy. But after the way last season ended for the Rays — a first-round loss to the Red Sox — it might be fair to look at Franco and McClanahan as having the most to prove. That duo is the future for Tampa, and the only players who are untouchable in the short term. They are the leaders the team will look to as it tries to get to the promised land. A healthy and productive September could set them up for that run. — Sarris
Yankees: With how this season has progressed, it has to be Gleyber Torres. Right now, I’m not sure if Torres has a long-term future with the Yankees, especially if New York decides to go into next season with Oswaldo Cabrera at second or shortstop and one of Anthony Volpe or Oswald Peraza at the other middle infield spot. Isaiah Kiner-Falefa catches a lot of heat from Yankees fans. But since the All-Star break, Kiner-Falefa has a better slugging percentage than Torres. If Torres isn’t hitting, he’s not a good enough fielder to make up for his struggles at the plate. If he doesn’t turn it around in the next several weeks, it wouldn’t be a surprise if it’s the last time we see Torres in a Yankees uniform. — Kirschner
(Photo of Rougned Odor and Jorge Mateo: Eric Christian Smith / Associated Press)
.