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We now turn our attention to the Junior Circuit. The American League East has generally been regarded as MLB’s toughest division. There has always been a couple of powerhouse teams at the forefront, and solid teams from top to bottom. This year is no different. Every team has notable strengths - but they also each have weaknesses, It’s difficult to rank them, but I’ll give it a shot.
Boston Red Sox - Strong pitching led by new acquisition Garrett Crochet, a strikeout machine. A very strong lineup led by new acquisition Alex Bergman, the man that Ranger fans love to boo. A good blend of young players and veterans, and Longview native Justin Slaten as a closer. I’ve just got a feeling this may be the year the Red Sox win the division.
New York Yankees - You can never count out the Bronx Bombers. Most people.either love or hate this team. They’re the Dallas Cowboys of MLB - except they win. Aaron Judge is (literally) head and shoulders above any hitter in the AL. Garrett Cole is out for the season, but NY signed ace Max Fried as their new #1 starter. The key factor is that the Yankees have a way of making a mid-season trade every year to strengthen their team, like last year’s acquisition of Jazz Chisholm. It should be a close race.
Baltimore Orioles - I really want to pick this team higher. I love their young lineup, with Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, and Jackson Holliday, and more young prospects ready to join them at Camden Yards, but they just don’t have depth in their starting rotation. Until they spend the money and fortify their pitching the Orioles aren’t going to be able to win this division.
Toronto BlueJays - A lot of people are picking the Canadian team to be the surprise winner this year, but I’m not ready to jump on that bandwagon yet. They do have a nice group of starting pitchers and a good lineup featuring future half-billionaire Vladimir Guerrero Jr, but I’m not convinced yet, We’ll see.
Tampa Bay Rays - No team does a better job of finding and developing pitching, and nobody gets more from their lineup than the Rays, but this may be the year the smoke and mirrors don’t work - not to mention the humiliation of playing their home games in the Yankee’s spring training facility. Embarrassing.
Two divisions left to predict.
That’s one man’s opinion - what’s yours?
I honestly wouldn't be mad if Boston won the division, I will always have a distain for the Yankees, and I have always had a soft spot for the Orioles.