AL East Prediction

With the MLB season just a week away let’s take a whip around each division’s standings according to yours truly!

Baltimore Orioles - Last season was one of the best that the Baltimore Orioles put together in 43 years eclipsing the 100-win mark since 1980. However, the Orioles last year caught a ton of teams by surprise and that won’t be the case this season. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a lul at some point in the season where their hitters hit a small slump. With the steady hand of Brandon Hyde who has done an excellent job since 2019 where the Orioles won only 54 games. Another spot that is weak on this Orioles team is the starting pitching. There is no word as of yet when or if Kyle Bradish will return for the 2024 season so it will be all hands on deck for the starting spots. Another big miss for the season is closer Felix Bautista who was one of the best in the game before he had to be shut down for Tommy John surgery. They added Craig Kimbrel but will that be enough?

New York Yankees - For the first time since 2016 the New York Yankees failed to reach the Postseason last year. They went out and made a big trade acquiring outfielder Juan Soto but had to give up one of the key pieces in their bullpen Michael King. Later in games with a lead, it will be tough for the Yankees to come through, but they wanted their guy and they had to give up a big piece. The acquisition of Soto also frees up having Giancarlo Stanton be an everyday outfielder which is a huge win in its own right, now how manager Aaron Boone manages the designated hitter role will be interesting.

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Tampa Bay Rays - The Tampa Bay Rays have made the postseason every single year since 2019, but they go into each offseason with the plan that if they make a savvy acquisition they could win the World Series the following year. However, with the way last season ended, that probably won’t be the case. Their pitching should be among the best in the AL East, but when it comes to their lineup that will be their Achilles heel. Unless they are in a position to be buyers at the trade deadline then I’m gonna assume they trade off some pitching for younger hitters or trade off a player like Yandy Diaz.

Toronto Blue Jays - I will assume the Toronto Blue Jays end up closer to 80 wins as opposed to 75, because of the amount of talent they have on their pitching staff but they are getting older and while the numbers last year looked good things could turn. Like the Tampa Bay Rays, their lineup could be better, Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerro Jr. can be one of many producing for this Blue Jays team. The Blue Jays could be a fringe postseason team but nothing more than that.

Boston Red Sox - The Boston Red Sox appear to be in a re-tool/rebuild mode but aside from third baseman Rafael Devers, they have nothing going for them this upcoming season. It wouldn’t surprise me if this is Alex Cora’s last as the manager of the Boston Red Sox. Cedanne Rafaela who is 76th in the MLB.com top-100 prospect rankings could make his trip up to Boston as could Wyatt Langford who’s 6th. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Tyler O’Neill get shipped out during the trade deadline. That signing has the exact feel of what the Chicago Cubs did last season with Cody Bellinger and it did turn out but Boston fans don’t get your hopes up on a plus.500 season.

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