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The AL East- As of July 27, 2008

Once again the AL East is a tight and exciting race, but this year there's a twist; a third team is in the mix to give the Yankees and Red sox a little more indigestion. And it's the Tampa Bay Devil Rays! Ahem, excuse me, The Tampa Bay "Rays". Certainly dropping the word "Devil" from their jerseys has made a difference, but not as much as the addition of right handed hurler Matt Garza, left fielder Eric Hinske who's enjoying a resurgence and third base phenom Evan Longoria from triple AAA, who gets my vote for A.L rookie of the year. They, along with southpaw stud Scott Kazmir, five tool centerfielder BJ Upton, the speedy and ever improving Carl Crawford, and the rest of that impressive starting pitching staff have all been having banner years and have so far proved they are no fluke. They are good, but a first ever playoff berth is no given as they are in for quite a challenge having to battle it out with both the New York Yankees and defending world champion Boston Red Sox a combined twelve more times. That can just as much spell doom for the Yanks and Sox who are both very good teams but not without warts.

The Yankees and the Red Sox, who are about to play the final game of a three game series at Fenway, are playing up to expectations with the Yankees nipping at their heels. The Yankees have not lost a game since the all star break and have significantly improved their team with the acquisitions of right hand hitting outfielder Xavier Nady and left handed relief pitcher Damaso Marte via a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates for four minor leaguers. The need for another bat had become essential due to the likely hood of switch hitting catcher Jorge Posada and designated hitter Hideki Matsui being lost for the season due to injury. Yankees General manager Brian Cashman doesn't appear to be through dealing either as talks with the Seattle Mariners has heated up concerning veteran left handed starting pitcher Jarrod Washburn. Washburn would likely replace the struggling Darrol Rasnor in the Yankees rotation and help buy time until their ace Chein Min Wang returns from a foot injury. With Robinson Cano clearly breaking out of his slump, he seems poised for another big second half, as do the Yankees.
The Red Sox are unfortunately having to deal with off the field issues with their biggest star player Manny Ramirez. Clearly frustrated concerning his current contract, his future with the team seems in doubt. This is nothing

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