Futures Odds to Win the AL East
As you can see from the win totals there is not expected to be a huge spread amongst teams in the big, bad American League East this season…but there will be story lines galore. Can Boston slug their way to division title? Can the Blue Jays finally exceed potential?
MLB Lines & Matchup Insight
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Does A-Rod have anything left…and does anybody care.
There might not be a real World Series contender in this group but it should be interesting.
Boston Red Sox
Division Odds: +175
Win Total: 86
I really don’t get why the Red Sox are the favourite coming into this season. Yes the additions of Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval definitely juice up the offense bu the defense will suffer which is going to make it tough for a limited starting staff. There is no ace, in fact unless one of their prospects makes a big splash I wouldn’t rate any starters much higher than a number three in most rotations and most are lower than that.
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Even with the aforementioned additions the BoSox are going to need a return to form of Dustin Pedroia and at least a couple of young players to live up to expectatins to have the kind of overall lineup that scares teams.
I think the Sox will come in below the win total and are unlikely to take the division. +175 is pretty good value for a division front runner but this team is still lacking in a lot of areas.
Toronto Blue Jays
Division Odds: +260
Win Total: 83.5
There are some holes on this Blue Jays baseball team but they are much better than they were a year ago. The first reason is that Josh Donaldson is one of the better players in baseballl that nobody gives much credit too. Stashed in Oakland all these years he will breeze past 30 homers and make the Jays that much more fearsome. The second reason is catcher Russell Martin upgrades the offense, defense and clubhouse..and third young pitchers Marcus Stroman and Aaron Sanchez proved last year they are Major League ready. Boston can say what it wants but this is the best lineup in the division and possible the rotations with the least question marks.
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The total looks like a real no-brainer to me and there is great value on them to take the division as well. Their moves have not been as splashy and came early so the market has not been as intense on them.
Baltimore Orioles
Division Odds: +400
Win Total: 81.5
The Orioles have enjoyed some nice success the last couple of seasons, especially last year when they ran away with the division. There is no way they can repeat that performance this season unless once again the entire division is mediocre again. Offensively they took a major hit when Nelson Cruz left during free agency. That puts too much pressure on Chris Davis who has just one significant season and the return to form of Manny Machado and Matt Wieters. The pitching has always been more solid than great, with no arms to fear. They won’t fall off the map but .500 might be an accomplishment this year.
I would take a shot at going under the total though it seems pretty fair at the current number. Don’t waste your money expecting the Orioles to repeat as division champs.
New York Yankees
Division Odds: +450
Win Total: 81.5
The Yankees are the least predictable team in the Majors. Based on past performances there are few that have as much available talent but for the last few years it has been more injured and underperforming than not. Losing Derek Jeter doesn’t help overall but he has not been a prime contributor on this team for a little while now. The lineup will probably be OK as it will hit some jacks but I don’t know what to think about the pitching. Masahiro Tanaka was great last year before getting hurt but if he doesn’t rebound the rotation could look pretty bleak. Nathan Eovaldi might be the best they got.
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Tampa Bay Rays
Division Odds: +700
Win Total: 79.5
What a difference a year makes. Heading into 2014 the Rays had one of the best executives in baseball – Andrew Friedman, one of the best managers – Joe Maddon and one of the best pitchers – David Price. All are gone now and in their wake there is not much. I don’t expect the Rays to slip to being the worst team in baseball but they might not be much better. Their e everyday lineup beyond Evan Longoria is really light and their pitching is above average at best. This team could really fade down the stretch because none of their arms are used to putting up lots of innings.
Definitely do not put any money down on the Rays to win the division and the total looks way too generous too. This team will probably have one good month that might shape some opinions but there is just not enough there.
2015 AL East Prediction:
I really like the Jays to come through this season and take the division. They are not going to run away with it like Baltimore did a year ago but I think they can get to 90 wins and win by 3 or 4 games. The return will be pretty good and even if you don’t agree I strongly urge you to look at that win total.
I think you take advantage there for sure as expectations have been tempered after the last two seasons.
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