Shaded Blue

A preview of the upcoming series for the Toronto Blue Jays versus the Baltimore Orioles to take place in Oriole Park at Camden Yards,
starting Friday July 15th.

Outlook Toronto
For Blue Jays fans you really have to realize that Toronto is in a decent to good situation as pertaining to the outlook after the Roy Halladay trade went through. Most hometown fans and also those across the border had this team pegged for last in the toughest division in baseball, the East. Featuring the Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles and Rays. But here they are sticking around holding their own. So perhaps the ceiling is not caving in without there best player gone.
Their neighbours the Toronto Raptors are taking a page from new General Manager Alex Anthopoulos in keeping the kids around and building within and not overspending for guys that are less than thrilled about living in another country. When you start with a good mix of young and old you realize quick that the youngsters always surprise you, whereas the veterans though important do work and get the job done, but do not offer the potential and excitement of a player coming into his own.

A Bad Deal?
Toronto recently sent their best infielder in Shortstop Alex Gonzalez who was putting up career and franchise power numbers to the Atlanta Braves for a younger infielder. But this deal at first looks like a terrible deal for the present push for respect in the East. But as you look closer Yuniel Escobar for which whom I have always been a fan of has a slight upside at 27 years old and if given the chance for a fresh start could do well.
This deal reminds me of the Edwin Encarnacion trade that sent this years National League All-Star Third Baseman Scott Rolen away. If you think about it this is pretty much the same deal besides the obvious salary ramifications previously. Toronto had Gonzalez for next year also but with Escobar's age difference and contract giving us a real good chance to see him go through his prime for the next four years will be good. Yuniel had fallen out of favour and has not even registered a homerun this season compared to Gonzalez's 17.
For the second half the Blue Jays are banking on a return to last years output with 2B Aaron Hill and Adam Lind vowing to bring this club back and well over the .500 mark.

O's at 29-59
Baltimore always seems to be building, but again do not have the pitching to carry them even to mediocrity in the American League's East Division. The Orioles came into the break well but even if they have the best second half of any team, are lame ducks in this playoff race. But the pieces they do have in the field are nice to build around with Adam Jones and Nick Markakis in the outfield, an aging but resilient infield, it has been key injuries that gave this team no chance of competing for a decent record.

A Mis-Matchup
With Toronto starting Romero, Morrow and Marcum respectively, the O's seem in tough as their win / loss records aren't great at a combined 18-16. But looking at the opposition which features Jeremy Guthrie totals up at 9-25. You begin to understand why their record is so abysmal with all three starters for the upcoming series at three wins each.

Sadly the only people talking about these two teams are the people paid to do it for this upcoming series. For Orioles fans, they did sweep a four-game set against the Texas Rangers going into the break. For Jays boosters you may get to see Johnny Mac finally play some shortstop with everyday Alex shipped to your NL rival.