It's just another year in the American League East Division.

The division's leader (21-11) has an early lead on Boston by 1 1 /2 games. Their offense is unstoppable, leading the AL in home runs (48 in 32 games), hits (10.25 / game), batting average (.292), slugging (.486), and fewest strikeouts (5.1 / game).

Their starting pitching has got it done for them with an ERA of 4.03, with starters amassing a 15-6 win-loss record.

Oh, and if you're a casual fan you are probably guessing I'm talking about those Yankees. Guess some more. They're in fourth (15-19).

The Baltimore Orioles are the team to beat in the AL East, at least for now.

All of the stats make sense as to why the O's are in the driver's seat in the division. So let's look at their lineup one by one to see why Baltimore is taking it to Boston and New York.

Conversations about this offensive juggernaut usually start with their leadoff man Brian Roberts, so we won't change the trend. The second basemen has played in every inning so far this year, leading the team in every offensive category and in the top four in the AL in everything from home runs to stolen bases. He's a switch hitter who can hit the ball to any field and will sneak a bunt single under a dozing defense. And currently he is on an eight-game winning streak.

We don't have to look past Roberts to understand why they're in first. But we will, because if the text stopped now, this analysis would be pretty sad.

Third baseman Melvin Mora bats second. So far he's batting .300 on the season, which is way down from his amazing .340 mark in last year's All-Star performance. Since he's 33 and only getting older, his average will probably stay around .300.

The lineup doesn't get any easier from here.

Miguel Tejada, batting third, is just one of their many home run threats. As of now he leads the league in RBIs (36), 5th in average (.348) and also popped 10 homers so far. And ohbytheway, he's a former league MVP. By far, he's the most productive shortstop on the continent.

If Tejada reaches base, he has a chance to score on any given at-bat when another former MVP — Sammy Sosa — steps up next. He's only hit four homeruns this season while batting .269, but anyone who's hit 578 of those in their career knows how to hit unleash one upon request.

And speaking of 500-homer club members, 1B/DH Rafael Palmeiro hits behind Sosa. The 40-year old one-time Viagra pitchman can still get it up and over the outfield wall on occasion, although he probably won't hit more than 25 this year.