After spending the past couple of seasons building their farm system back up from the ground, the New York Yankees decided to call all-in this past offseason. The fans weren’t the only ones taking note of a busy winter, as the sportsbooks have anointed the Yankees the clear favorites in the American League East ahead of the rival Boston Red Sox. Is New York a team of destiny this season? Or will the Red Sox spoil the party for their biggest rival? Here is a look at each team’s odds to win the American League East. Odds courtesy of BetDSI.
New York Yankees -145
After falling just two wins short of winning the AL East in 2017, the Yankees loaded up in the offseason beginning with the addition of Giancarlo Stanton from the Miami Marlins. Stanton will slide between Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez to give New York one of the most dominant lineups in the majors. Meanwhile, the Yankees also brought in Brandon Drury and Neil Walker to fill out their lineup depth. New York didn’t really lose any key pieces from a year ago so their additions should help put them over the top in the AL East in 2018.
Boston Red Sox +145
Most fans felt like the Red Sox underachieved a year ago when they won the division with 93 victories. However, they will have an even tougher time finishing atop the AL East this season after the Yankees loaded up. Boston will be hoping to improve from within with first-year manager Alex Cora taking over on the bench. The addition of J.D. Martinez should help but ultimately it will be on Mookie Betts, Andrew Benintendi, Rafael Devers and Xander Boegarts to lead the way. The Red Sox have a deep lineup and a talented pitching staff led by Chris Sale, David Price and Rick Porcello. Is it enough to hold off New York atop the American League East? Only time will tell.
Toronto Blue Jays +850
After making the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, Toronto missed out in 2017 after finishing 76-86. The Blue Jays didn’t do much to improve in the offseason so most fans will have a tough time believing they can compete with the big boys in the AL East. Toronto’s starting pitching is talented enough for them to challenge for a Wild Card spot. However, it’s probably more likely they end up struggling through a tough season and end up selling key players like Josh Donaldson before the trade deadline. Even at decent odds it might make more sense to pass on the Blue Jays as a contender to win the AL East this season.
Tampa Bay Rays +3300
The Rays will be relying on a number of young prospects to lead the way in 2018. Tampa Bay doesn’t have the payroll to compete with the big boys in the AL East just yet but they should be competitive. Chris Archer leads a strong pitching staff but the offense is very average at best. The young prospects on the Rays will be entertaining enough to make them worth watching but this team won’t compete for a division title in 2018.
Baltimore Orioles +5000
Baltimore is considered the biggest long shot to win the AL East in 2018. Even with Manny Machado, Adam Jones and Jonathan Schoop in the lineup this team will have a tough time clawing its way out of the division basement. The Orioles finished the season on a severe down note after losing 20 of their final 27 games. They didn’t do much to upgrade a pitching staff that ranked 14th among the 15 AL teams in hits, home runs and runs allowed last season so there is a good chance they struggle mightily again. Even at +5000 odds, there won’t be many fans betting on the Orioles to win the AL East this season.
