Fansided

Breaking down the race for the AL East title

By Joshua Sadlock

Jul 19, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) celebrates his three-run home run against the San Francisco Giants during the third inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 19, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) celebrates his three-run home run against the San Francisco Giants during the third inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 3, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Zach Britton (53) throws a pitch in the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 3, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Zach Britton (53) throws a pitch in the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

The Bullpens

1. team. 11. The Orioles have one of the best bullpens in baseball. Zach Britton is a legitimate Cy Young contender. Brad Brach is an All-Star set-up man (though he has been a little down in the second half). Mychal Givens is death to right-handed batters. Rookie Donnie Hart has emerged as the left-handed specialist the ‘pen has lacked all year. Getting a healthy and effective Darren O’Day back from the DL is a key. Perhaps the biggest key of all for the Orioles is getting six innings out of their starters and avoiding having to use the AAAA filler that makes up their long-relief crew.. . . Baltimore Orioles

. Toronto Blue Jays. 2. team. 39. In terms of doing his job as the closer, Roberto Osuna has been just as good as Zach Britton. Joaquin Benoit was awful with the Seattle Mariners, but has yet to give up a run in 12 games with the Jays. Jason Grilli has been lights out as a set-up man since being acquired from the Atlanta Braves. Rookie Joe Biagini has been a pleasant surprise. As with the Orioles, it’s best for the Jays to avoid using their middle and long relievers as much as possible in a pennant race..

Boston Red Sox. 3. team. 14. Overall, Boston’s bullpen has been a bit of a mess all year. Losing Carson Smith early in the year was a big blow. Craig Kimbrel has not been his normal nasty self all year, and the Red Sox gave up a huge haul to get him. Koji Uehara should be back from the DL soon, but was not having a great season before going down. Robbie Ross, Matt Barnes, Junichi Tazawa and a few others have been very mediocre in the middle innings. Fernando Abad has a 7.50 ERA since being acquired at the deadline. The Red Sox rank 21st in the league in team ERA after the seventh inning, which should tell you all you need to know about this bullpen.. .

Next: The Benches

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