Will the Rays win the AL East?

[thedude]

Tampa comes into Boston Tuesday night with a 1.5 game lead over the World Champions. Big Papi is out for at least a month (possibly the year if he needs surgery). This in addition to the fact that they can't seem to win outside of Fenway. The Blue Jays offense has been terrible. The Yankees pitching has been inconsistent, and they have allowed more runs than they have scored. With the problems with the Yankees and Red Sox, is this the year that Tampa seizes the day and wins the division?

[JasonSeahorn]

If there is anything I know about the AL East, it's that the standings ALWAYS go down to the wire. Wait till like September 15th and then ask this question again

[j24jags]

They don't have the pitching or hitting to do it. They have three good starters (Kazmir, Shields, Garza), after that it's a question mark. The pen is mediocre, and they really need either Longoria or Pena to start mashing. They have the speed (Crawford/Upton), but they lack the pop.

[KCollins1304]

I just don't think they can sustain this level of success. Everything looks good when you're playing well, but I don't think they'll be able to stay afloat when they hit a rough patch.

[AussieDodger]

Injuries permitting, they can, but not sure if they will.
The Yankees are going to need a huge turn around in SP to compete, and Papi is a big crater in the Boston hitting.
It is quite possible that Papi will decide the whole division.

[thedude]

It is quite possible that Papi will decide the whole division.

That is my feeling as well. With Papi hurt the Red Sox have no protection for Manny and turn into a doubles hitting team. Drew, Lowell, and Youkilis are good hitters, but they aren't real power threats.

[Yoda]

It's possible if the bullpen can keep it up and everyone is healthy. They could be like the Brewers 07 though. Start off great and then fade down the road. It will be tough in that division especially.

[sportsaddict]

Hopefully they stay in it, because I love seeing them ahead of the big boys in the AL East. I think Boston will just be too strong in the end, although losing Ortiz is a huge blow.

[mweir145]

The Jays have a better pythagorean record than the Rays even without Vernon Wells. I wouldn't be counting Toronto out of winning the division, though I still can't believe they are content with the awful Shannon Stewart in left field. If they had actually signed Barry Bonds a month and a half ago when they released Frank, they would probably be 1st already. The pitching has been that good.

Of course I don't see the Yankees being out of it either. They can still pay for solutions to most of their problems, and will be happy to do so.

And Boston is still Boston. Maybe they'll actually have the guts to sign Barry Bonds.

[AussieDodger]

The Jays have a better pythagorean record than the Rays even without Vernon Wells. I wouldn't be counting Toronto out of winning the division, though I still can't believe they are content with the awful Shannon Stewart in left field. If they had actually signed Barry Bonds a month and a half ago when they released Frank, they would probably be 1st already. The pitching has been that good.

Of course I don't see the Yankees being out of it either. They can still pay for solutions to most of their problems, and will be happy to do so.

And Boston is still Boston. Maybe they'll actually have the guts to sign Barry Bonds.

How did I know you'd say something about Toronto being in it?
They could pull an '05 White Sox, but I don't think so.