Baseball Update: AL East

The Baseball Update is a new feature on the website. We will look at each division, surprise players, and other random thoughts centered around baseball. Today we look at the AL East.

Like every other division the AL East has it's surprise. And this year it's the Toronto Blue Jays. The Blue Jays brought back former manager Cito Gasten towards the end of last season and retained him for this season. And Gasten has them at the top of the AL East and 1.5 games ahead of the Red Sox.

They have the pitching(Halladay, Ricky Romero, and B.J. Ryan) and hitting(Aaron Hill and Vernon Wells). I wouldn't be surprised if the Blue Jays keep up with this pace all season long.

Who are you?: Aaron Hill of the Blue Jays has come out of nowhere. He has four years experience but this year he is making a name for himself.

The 2Nd baseman leads the Blue Jays in the triple crown category's. Could we see the next Jeff Kent? It's still too early in the season, but Hill has been red hot to start the season.

I also found out some other information on Hill. He is from Visalia, California(which is in the Bay Area) and he went to college at LSU. He is 27 years old and is only 5-11. While he might not be the next Jeff Kent, he definitely could be the next Dustin Pedroia.

Cool them down: The Boston Red Sox are red hot. They have won seven straight games and scored 17 runs in a doubleheader versus the Twins. The 'Greek God' Kevin Youkilis has been the best player for the Red Sox so far this season. He is batting .429 with four home runs. The Red Sox though need David Ortiz to get hot. The slugger has is batting .220 with no home runs. The Red Sox will need Big Papi this weekend when the Red Sox renew their rivalry with the Yankees.

What has happened?: The Tampa Bay Rays have been struggling lately. In the Rays last six losses, the pitching staff has given up a total of 38 runs. None of their starting pitchers have an ERA under four and they have given up a total of 56 walks compared to 96 strikeouts.

The offense hasn't fared much better. The teams batting average is .269 and have struck out 124 times compared to 55 walks.

While the players on the Rays are still young, they still have much needed postseason experience. The team itself is only 4.5 games behind the first place Blue Jays, but they can't not give up as many runs or strikeout as many times. I refuse to bury this team yet, but talk to me by mid-May if they haven't improved yet.

This division will definitely be the most competitive all season long. All the teams are within 4.5 games of each other and all the teams have their own weaknesses. This division should be the funnest to watch all season long.