The American League East Division has eroded through the years in going from the toughest division in Major League Baseball to potentially among the weakest. Let’s take our first look at all six divisions and the over/under win total prospects for their teams with the up-to-date numbers from the sports books.
Baltimore Orioles: Over 82.5 -121/under 82.5 -109
Baltimore has surpassed the 84-win total in each of the last three seasons and was 96-66 last year. The Baltimore starting pitching rotation is considered to be full of number three and four starters and their consistent success baffles the new math nerds. The difference for Baltimore has clearly been manager Buck Showalter, who has demonstrated that strong fundamentals and technique can overcome the brainiacs and their calculators. A key to success will be the return of Chris Davis and his ability to produce at a high level without PED’s. OVER 82.5 is the call!
Boston Red Sox: Over 85.5 -115/under 85.5 -104
The arrival of Pablo Sandoval, Hanley Ramirez, Rick Porcello, Wade Miley, Justin Masterson, Ryan Hanigan Robbie Ross, and Anthony Varvaro certainly made for a grade A in the Hot Stove League. The Red Sox are something of a bargain blue chip stock due to their miserable 71-91 season last year, which followed their 97-65 World Series campaign of 2013. Although the starting pitching rotation lacks a pure stopper, that may not be as necessary an ingredient for success as in the past. The Red Sox are loaded depth wise for the 162 game grind. The one problem with Boston is that as a blue chip stock that is cheaper than in the past, they are still a blue chip stock that is among the most public on the board. Still, there is too much improvement here, combined with a much weaker American League East Division. OVER 85.5 is the call!
New York Yankees: Over 81.5 -106/under 81.5 -114
My, how the mighty have fallen. Owner Hal Steinbrenner had to come out last week and defend a Yankee payroll that is still a whopping $235 million. The problem of course is that much of that payroll was poorly invested. Help is on the way with new arrivals Nathan Evoldi, Garrett Jones, David Carpenter, Justin Wilson, and Didi Gregorius. Aging veterans such as Alex Rodriguez, C.C. Sabathia and Carlos Beltran are asked to deliver production that may not be possible for them anymore. The empire has fallen. UNDER 81.5 is the call!
Tampa Bay Rays: Over 79.5 -105/under 79.5 -125
With Joe Maddon, the best manager in baseball, gone to the Chicago Cubs, and with a significant front office shakeup that included the loss of general manager Andrew Friedman to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Rays are a mere shell of their former selves. A 77-85 season last year was a portent of much worse things to come. The Rays lost top offensive talent such as Ben Zobrust, Matt Joyce and Wil Myers from a lineup that already struggled to score runs. FAR UNDER 79.5 is the call!
Toronto Blue Jays: Over 83.5 -115/under 83.5 -115
Toronto was the trendy pick last year on the preseason board after they took the big contracts of failed Miami Marlins who couldn’t win in South Florida. Why everyone thought that those same players would all of a sudden in in Toronto boggles the brain and the Jays limped home with an 83-79 mark after falling flat on their faces out of the gate. Once again, there is considerable hype surrounding Toronto with the arrival of Josh Donaldson, Russell Martin, Michael Saunders, Marco Estrada, Justin Smoak, and Devon Travis. The Donaldson trade headlines the moves and is legitimate cause for hope. Marcus Stroman impressed all with a rookie season in which he was 11-6 with a 3.65 earned run average. Stroman looks to have plenty of upside and more is expected this year. The problem with Toronto is that they must be considered a Show Me team. They have proven to be nothing but bankroll busters so far and we won’t make the reach. UNDER 83.5 is the call!
