2021 American League East Predictions
I am not the only one doing MLB predictions right now. Take a look at Pat’s article here. He has done both at NL East and the NL Central. I will start off in the American League East today. With the defending AL champion Rays and the always competing Yankees and Red Sox, it should be a good race. I am going to give records based on 162 games.
1. New York Yankees 98-64
I think this is finally the year they all stay healthy. Gerrit Cole, Corey Kluber, and Jamson Taillon should be a good 1-3 for the Yankees pitching. If Aaron Judge can stay healthy I believe he can have a 50 homerun season. Judge was the runner up for the MVP in 2017, the one season he was completely healthy. Luke Voit lead the MLB in homeruns last year and I do not believe that was a fluke. The lineup of the Yankees can be very scary when they have everyone. This is their year to retake the AL East.
2. Toronto Blue Jays 91-71
I believe this is the year the Blue Jays take a huge leap forward. They made the playoffs in 2020 as a wild card team. This will make back to back trips there. The young core now with a veteran who has won it in George Springer is set to explode. Nate Pearson is going to be a future Cy Young winner. Bo Bichette will take a big time jump this season and be in the MVP discussion come late September. The Blue Jays are one of my favorite teams to watch.
3. Tampa Bay Rays 87-75
The Rays traded away the 2018 Cy Young award winner in Blake Snell. This was a little bit of a shock to me, but not completely out of left field. The Rays have always been a team to trade or release guys when they will make a lot of money. But, as we have seen they are one of the best at finding talent. Tyler Glasnow needs to take a big jump forward to become the ace now. We will see if Randy Arozarena can continue his success from the playoffs. If the Rays can continue their ability to find diamonds in the rough they will be fine.
4. Boston Red Sox 85-77
The Red Sox did get better this season. Listen to the latest episode of Legends Lingo to hear about it. They were able to add some good arms. Everyone knows that the Red Sox pitching stunk very very bad last year. The lineup was really good, in fact lead all of baseball in runs scored. Having Alex Cora back, as manager, only makes that lineup better. But, I do not think the Red Sox are good enough to compete in the AL East this year. They will be contending for a wild card spot late in the year, but fall short.
5. Baltimore Orioles 62-100
The thing I am most excited about for the Orioles in 2021 is the return of Trey Mancini. He missed all of 2020 with colon cancer. Those story are always something to root for. But, the talent on the Orioles just is not there yet. I think they will compete in the future, just not 2021. I am hoping we see Adley Rutschman come up from the Minors in 2021. He is the #2 prospect in all of baseball.
Wrap Up
Hopefully this is the year the Yankees can stay healthy. If they can it is their year. I know I have said that for the last couple, but injuries stink. The Blue Jays are my surprise team and will be in the playoffs again. I have a lot to say about the Mariners debacle on Legends Lingo tonight.
Images from:
https://www.thesportsgeek.com/blog/al-east-offseason-odds-needs-targets-outlooks/
https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/28/us/trey-mancini-cancer-spt-trnd/index.html
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-Tom “Powder” Cadmus (@powder42308)
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