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2009 AL East Future Lines: Predictions

The American League’s Eastern Division was extremely competitive last season with Tampa Bay shocking everyone by edging out Boston for the division crown…

Odds to Win MLB’s American League East

The American League’s Eastern Division was extremely competitive last season with Tampa Bay shocking everyone by edging out Boston for the division crown. The Red Sox captured the Wild Card and four out of five teams finished with winning records. With some major off season acquisitions and some juggling of the line ups, 2009 is shaping up to be even more competitive and should be a thrilling race to the finish.

Here are my predictions, and the future odds for the AL East.

AL East Baseball Betting Lines

Baltimore Orioles +4000: In any other division the Orioles would have a reasonable chance to compete, but in the east they will struggle. They have a lot of young talent and even though they didn’t make too many off seasons moves they should still be able to improve on last season’s 69-93 record.

Boston Red Sox +125: This team remains very solid heading into 2009 with a deep starting rotation and solid hitters throughout their lineup. This off season they went out and acquired some veteran help in players like John Smoltz and Brad Penny. If they can stay healthy and contribute it might be just enough to put them back on top in this division.

New York Yankees -120: After finishing 3rd in the East, 8 games out of first, you knew there were going to be some wholesale changes to this ball club in the off season. They went out and signed aces C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett to bolster the starting rotation. The rest of the lineup reads like All Star team as there are few if any holes on this team.  As long as the whole A-Rod mess doesn’t linger and become an ongoing distraction, which it shouldn’t, the Yanks will return to championship form in 2009.

Tampa Bay Rays +400: This team was the feel good story in 2008 with a worst to first performance that took them all the way to the World Series. They will not be able to sneak up on anyone this season and will struggle to repeat. Fielding pretty much the same team as last year with the addition of 3B Pat Burrell from the Phillies, they will be competitive and win their share of games in 2009. I am just not sure it will be enough to get them past Boston and New York.

Toronto Blue Jays +2800: Similar to Baltimore, if this team were in any other division they would probably be favored to win it. Unfortunately for them, at best they are a third or fourth place team in the East. They have a solid lineup, but their pitching staff took a hit losing A.J Burnett. The Blue Jays can only hope that everything goes right to keep them somewhere nears the top deep into summer.

AL East Predictions

The AL East will almost certainly be the most entertaining division race in baseball.  Anytime you have teams as good as Boston and New York who genuinely dislike each other, sparks are going to fly.

Throw in teams like the Rays and Blue Jays who are good enough to win on a regular basis, and you should have quite a race.

This one comes down to the final week of the season with the Yankees ending up on top by the slimmest of margins. 

Who wins the AL East in 09? Do you think you know? Spring Training is here folks, time to lay a bet on 2009 MLB Future Odds. Click Here NOW to Bet on the AL East at Bookmaker.com

 

David Schwab is a regular contributor to the Cappers Picks Blog. While not cheering for his beloved Philadelphia Eagles David can be found working on his blog at www.eaglesinc.com.  David wants to hear from you so please comment below.

By Dave Schwab

David Schwab is a regular contributor to the Cappers Picks Blog. While not cheering for his beloved Philadelphia Eagles David can be found working on his blog at www.eaglesinc.com. David wants to hear from you so please comment below.