There's a strong chance they could win 90 games this season and still be on the outside looking in when the playoffs roll around. One of the biggest reason for that will be the success of the two teams they are chasing — the Yankees and the Rays.
The scary thing is, the Red Sox, Yankees and Rays may get an even bigger fight out of the AL East cellar-dwellars — the Blue Jays and Orioles — next season.
The Blue Jays, who have seemingly been on the cusp of making the next step and becoming a legitimate playoff contender for years, once again showed this season that they are close. But as has been the case in recent years, a fast start for the Jays slowly faded midsummer and they'll once again be left asking themselves how to once and for all compete in the East.
The Orioles will once again finish in last place this season. But, there is some reason to be optimistic. Manager Buck Showalter was hired on July 29 and since then, the O's have been a different team. Since Showalter's hiring, Baltimore is 28-21. Throw in a good mix of young players, and there's finally at least something to look forward to as an Orioles fan.
The Blue Jays and Orioles have each shown signs of turning things around at different points of this season. Which team will win more games in 2011?
Text "SOX1" to 542542 for the Orioles or "SOX2" to 54242 for the Blue Jays.
