The Yankees face a loaded American League and National League for that matter.
Vegas knows what they’re talking about and there’s a reason that both the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers odds are higher to win the 2018 World Series.
The Astros are looking to become the first team since the Yankees to win back to back titles and they have a good enough roster to do so. Led by American League MVP Jose Altuve, George Springer, and stout pitching staff, the Astros are the favorites to win it all again — even with the Yankees new additions.
Unfortunately for the Yankees, the Astros aren’t the only problem they’ll face in 2018. They need no further than their own division, with the hated Boston Red Sox looking to three-peat in the AL East.
With the addition of J.D. Martinez, and Cy Young hopeful Chris Sale leading the charge, the Yankees will have their hands full. Not to mention, they will get the best shot of other teams in their division, with the Orioles a handful on offense ( who could outslug the Yankees in any given series) and the Blue Jays should hover around .500 before it’s all said and done.
The AL Central boasts two teams who may give the Yankees additional problems. With the Indians elite pitching staff and a solid roster, they are capable of beating anyone in a long season.
Even though the Twins fell to the Yankees in the 2017 AL Wild Card game, they’ve gained a few reinforcements — recently the addition of a veteran right-handed pitcher Lance Lynn. Even though St. Louis Cardinals fans undervalued the workhorse, he’ll thrive in Minnesota. If the Yankees find themselves in another winner take all game in the 2018 MLB postseason, the edge might go to the Twins this time around.
If the New York Yankees make it through the gauntlet of the top-heavy Ameican League, they’ll have the likes of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondback, Chicago Cubs, or the resurgent St. Louis Cardinals on the other side.
The Yankees pitching must hold up, and that brings us to our final gaping hole that could cost them a 2018 title.