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 2, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Pedro Alvarez (24) celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Baltimore Orioles defeated Texas Rangers 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 2, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Pedro Alvarez (24) celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Baltimore Orioles defeated Texas Rangers 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

The Benches

11. The Orioles have a great trio of platoon players they have been rotating through this season. Hyun Soo Kim, Steve Pearce and Pedro Alvarez all combine together to form one of the best left/right combinations in the league. Throw in Joey Rickard who should return at some point in September, and Buck Showalter will have plenty of options in the corner outfield positions and at DH. Ryan Flaherty is an underrated substitute off the bench who always seems to produce when given a start.. . . Baltimore Orioles. 1. team

2. team. 14. The Red Sox have a few players capable of coming off the bench and doing something productive. Brock Holt and Chris Young will have to step up in their platoon roles after the loss of Andrew Benintendi to a knee injury. Aaron Hill is a veteran bat who can play all over the infield. The biggest weapon the Sox could have their bench is currently playing in Double-A, but calling up Yoan Moncada for an extra hitter warrants a long look for the front office.. . . Boston Red Sox

Toronto Blue Jays. 3. team. 39. There isn’t much to write about the Toronto bench. Melvin Upton was acquired at the trade deadline to bring a splash of power, speed and defense to the outfield mix, but he has not done much in his tenure with Toronto. That hurts the Blue Jays because Michael Saunders should probably be in a platoon. Darwin Barney is a solid utility player in the infield, which could come in handy if Troy Tulowitzki goes down again.. .

Next: The Managers

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