MLB Predictions: AL East

The AL East looks to be very competitive this season, as I see four teams fighting for the division title down until late September. The Yankees, Red Sox, and Blue Jays are all in the same boat, while the Orioles and Rays have opposite issues. It will come down to who stays healthy and makes the right acquisitions. Winner of the division will need at least 95 wins and it will come down to the final few games in October.

Lets start with the Blue Jays, these guys have pop. Donaldson is coming off his MVP season, as Bautista and Encarnacion are playing for new contracts. These guys are who everyone in the AL have to fear at the plate, as I think their three big bats will put together more than one hundred homeruns. Kevin Pillar will be batting leadoff, and he will be a big difference maker as well. He will be that extra RBI for each power bat if not Tulowitzki or Martin. The loss of Price looked tough for Toronto, but I think Stroman will fill in well as the teams ace. I just don't know how well the rest of the rotation can hold up. J.A. Happ should put together some wins, but I honestly don't have much faith in Dickey and Estrada. If the Jays want to lock up the division, they will need to add another arm to the rotation at some point in the season. The Blue Jays could also look for another left handed bat to add to the lineup, as they do have a lot of righties. Perhaps another power bat such as lefty Joey Votto could make a great addition. I expect Toronto to battle it out until the end and either take the division or the first wildcard seat.
Boston made the big signing bringing David Price over to lead their rotation after their terrible pitching

performance last season. The Red Sox have taken last place two years in a row now, as they need healthy and productive seasons out of David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, and most importantly Clay Buchholz. They are in the same shoes as Toronto and will need to make a deal to add to their rotation in order to come away with the division. Word right now is, they may deal away one of the worst signings in the last ten years and make Pablo Sandoval San Diego's problem while getting James Shields in return. They have Travis Shaw to play third if they let go of Pablo and could use Shields who is not making much of a difference with the Padres. Hanley Ramirez has his new position and Boston hopes he makes a big difference offensively. With the addition of Shields or another pitcher, I expect the Sox to put on a good show and be in division talk all season.

The Yankees made some deals this offseason that didn't get to much attention but will be big difference makers for their offense. Alex Rodriguez has announced his retirement after this season, as the Yankees need to get names like him, Teixeira, and Sabathia off their payroll. The pick ups of Didi Gregorius and Starlin Castro will need to pay off, as their bats along with Ackley and Hicks will need to be productive as the older guys in the lineup such as Beltran and AROD averaged missing 35 games last year. The Yankees have Tanaka at the top of the rotation, but after that I am not sure if they can rely to much on Pineda and Severino in their hitter friendly ball park. Like their rivals, I expect the Yankees to acquire another starter at some point during the season. The Yankees should be able to stay in the picture and make a good reach for the playoffs, but health will be their main issue this season both on the mound and at the plate. The main strength of the Yankees will be the bullpen, though they will be missing Chapman due to his suspension. I expect the Yankees to come up a bit short the division, but battle for a wildcard seat.
The Tampa Bay Rays will be very interesting this season. Like usual they have some great pitching, as I expect Chris Archer to fight for the CY Young this year. With Odorizzi, Moore, and Smyly behind him they have the best rotation in the division but are slacking big time in the bullpen and when it comes to the bat. Sure they have Evan Longoria, but he can't stay off the DL and his numbers have not been impressive over the last few seasons. The Rays need some miracles with the bat from guys such as Steve Pearce and Corey Dickerson. That or need to pick up some bats over trade, which the Rays are not really known for doing during the regular season. The Rays pitching will keep them alive until late in the year, but a few to many blown saves and lack of offense will knock them out of division title talk come September.

The Orioles have one heck of a lineup after their pickups of Trumbo and Alvarez. They already had Davis on his new deal, Adam Jones, healthy Wieters, and MVP potential Manny Machado. These guys are going to hit a lot of homers this year, the only question is if they will hit enough. They scored almost half their runs last season through long balls and will probably have a higher percentage this year adding power but not consistency to the lineup. The real problem for the Orioles though is their rotation. They are starting off with Chris Tillman who never lived up to his potential and follow him with washed up starters such as Gallardo and Jimenez. I don't think one of these guys will have an ERA under four, especially playing against their division. Look for Baltimores bats to be amazing one game and then get shut out the next, as this team is relying completely on power. If they can destroy aces like Price, Tanaka, and Archer then they can make a push for the playoffs, but I think injuries and a bunch of strikeouts will slow them to much. Expect a great year from Machado, with an average near .300 and 25 plus homers, but he wont be able to carry the team.

AL East Records:

1. Blue Jays  96-66

2. Red Sox 94-68

3. Yankees 83-79

4. Rays 81-81

5. Orioles 70-92