AL East

We're only one day away from the Major League Baseball draft signing deadline, and so far, it's looking like the Orioles draft is shaping up to be one of the most impressive of any team, and, by the way, one of the more expensive.

As of today, the O's have signed seven of their top ten picks, with the lone exceptions being number three overall pick Manny Machado, sixth-round pick Dixon Anderson, and seventh-rounder Matthew Bywater.

The Blue Jays signed 25-year-old former top-10 pick Ricky Romero to a five year, $30.1 million contract that will keep him signed with the team through 2015 on Saturday.

New York Yankees Marcus Thames has been the talk of the town lately—and for good reason.

Thames has come up big for the Yankees as he led the team in victory over the Texas Rangers Cliff Lee, this past Wednesday night.

The switch-hitter went 3-5 with two hits, a homer, and two RBI. Thames had the game-winning single in the top of the ninth inning that put the Yankees on top.

As Jacoby Ellsbury left Friday night's game against Texas in the fourth inning with "side pains," speculation indicated another rib injury for Boston's speedy outfielder.

Indications were right.

Confirmed by ESPN Boston's Joe McDonald, Ellsbury has indeed re-injured his ribs and has been sent back to Boston for an MRI and a CT scan.

It is reported that Ellsbury injured himself in the first inning when he collided with Rangers pitcher Tommy Hunter

The Boston Red Sox took care of business tonight in Arlington, TX by defeating the Texas Rangers 3-1.

Jon Lester received his first victory in four straight losing starts. Lester was masterful, throwing eight scoreless innings with five strikeouts, only allowing five hits.

Boston came up with timely offense in the sixth and ninth innings. JD Drew, Marco Scuatro, and Bill Hall came away the game with one RBI a piece.

As the game came to a completion, Red Sox rookie pitcher Felix Doubront came away with his first career save.

Jose Canseco may want to think of writing a new book or do something extraordinary in order to get out of the current streak of bad luck that he has hit. When Canseco was in his prime, he would date models and drive some of the world's most expensive cars. Nowadays, it seems like he can't even afford a nice home.

There are fewer than 50 games remaining in the 2010 season.

The New York Yankees looks poised for a return to the World Series.

If the Division Playoffs were to begin today Minnesota would go to New York and Texas would host Tampa Bay.

So who has the best chance of defeating the Yankees and representing the American League in the World Series?

Comparing starting pitching, playoff experience, team defense and a couple other statistics I ranked the Twins, Rangers and Rays (sorry Boston and Chicago fans) based on their ability to defeat the Yankees.

Let’s take a look at some of the biggest stories from yesterday’s games:

American League:

Last night the Yankees bullpen went a combined 3.2 innings without allowing a run. At a certain point this season that would have been a major achievement for them, but lately it has been par for the course for them.

Get this, over the last 30 days the Yankees bullpen has had a 2.35 ERA, good for the best in the American League.

Leading the way has been David Robertson who has grabbed the eighth inning role and hasn’t given up an earned run since July 2. That’s 15 straight appearances without allowing a run.

The Yankees sat through two rain delays before they lost to the Kansas City Royals by a score of 4-3.