Is the A.L. East Finally Separating?

They will. Still don't care for them any more than the Red Sux, but they're more consistent (though the White Sox had their chances last night, despite getting no-hit for 6) and don't fall apart when one player goes down.

Toronto has tanked it the last few weeks, and Baltimore and Tampa never had it. So, for the eighth year out of the past nine, the order of finish in the AL East will be:

New York

Boston

Toronto

Baltimore

Tampa Bay

Nothing like stagnation and the same team winning over and over again because of how the system is set up (no salary cap, no revenue sharing) to draw fans to the sport.

Things tend to average out throughout the season. A few things to keep in mind.

1. The Yankees aren't as good as they've been playing over the last 3 weeks.

2. The Red Sox aren't as bad as they've been playing over the past 3 weeks.

3. Toronto will go on a hot streak soon and make up some ground. (but won't quite get there this year)

With these things in mind, I still say the division will be decided by 1 or 2 games. Yankees or Red Sox.

I'm not a fan of the Yankees, but I see them pulling ahead in the division and creating insurmountable lead soon. All the payroll money is paying off for Mr. Steinbrenner this season. The Red Sox better get hot very soon because if they go 3-7 over the next 10 games like they have over the last 10, it could be all over for them in 2006.

You never know ! Red Sox only behind three games,they are still a good team, same as two month ago,when someone from Boston Cheered that Yankees was old and over,but I point out Yankees will come back for sure.Same situation now but only the table changed.

Yanks got it on lock down.. they always have and they always will, people complain about money money money... well they win a lot, they sell tickets, why shouldnt they have more money? sure a salary cap and rev share would be good, but bottom line too, every REAL baseball player wants to be a yankee deep down inside. thats why its a priveledge and an honor to put on the pinstripes. We got damon because he deserved it, same with sheff, giambi, matsui, johnson, mussina, when they first came over, sure its always the twilight or beginning of the end of their careers when they join the yanks, and thats a risk that the yankees take too. And what i always think is really funny is people complain about the yankees doing that and making moves but look at jeter, posada, williams, and rivera,... they have played their whole careers as yankees. name one other team with that many franchise players. and sure they might stay yankees because they are paid well, but thats another fact saying that they have truely earned it... note i didnt mention a-rod about the crossovers in their twilight ; ) im not an a rod hater, but i have booed him at games. its part of the game, especially in the bronx... see you there : ) as far as breaking away from teh pack... teh white sox fell apart at the end of last season, but of course come playoff time showed up, but this year i m not so sure, ozzie guillen isnt the brightest coach, and for the AL east. theres 8 games between teh yankees and red sox to be played... that will be the entire season for both of those teams if the wildcard doesnt stay open.

The Red Sox will collapse and the Yankees will clinch the AL east title.

Yanks will win. Red Sox and Blue Jays will watch the playoffs on TV.

The Yanks are only getting healthier, and when they get Matsui, Sheffield, Dotel, and possibly even Pavano back they will be the team to beat.

the yanks will pull away if their pitching holds up!

Yeah, if they keep winning ballgames.