MLB Win Totals: AL East over or under according to Vegas
Toronto Blue Jays
MLB Win Totals: 76
Prediction: Under
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The fate of the Blue Jays’ season falls on a 20-year-old, a 21-year-old, and a 24-year-old. Yes, the trio of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, and Cavan Biggio will need to produce at the top of the Toronto lineup. There are too many all or nothing hitters beyond them, including Randal Grichuk, Travis Shaw, and Teoscar Hernandez. Balance will be crucial.
Pitching wise, the Blue Jays signed left-handed starter Hyun-Jin Ryu, who won 14 games for the Dodgers last year. Ryu should thrive, as he’s a tremendous ground ball pitcher plus he has excellent command of the strike zone. Every other rotation member is highly questionable, however.
76 wins is attainable, but a lot would have to go right. The under is the safe play. Sophomore slumps could get the best of Toronto’s valiant youth. Additionally, it’s tough to rely on a staff filled with contact pitchers.
Baltimore Orioles
MLB Win Totals: 55.5
Prediction: Under
Maybe the Orioles can scrap together 56+ wins, but I don’t see it. They don’t have a defined heart of the batting order, nor do they have a trustworthy pitcher. Baltimore lost Jonathan Villar up the middle, and it’s far-fetched to think Hanser Alberto and Trey Mancini can keep up their paces from a season ago.
The O’s ranked 28th in team ERA in 2019. Their staff allowed 179 home runs and their bullpen converted just 50% of save opportunities. Both ranked last in Major League Baseball. Their offense ranked 21st in batting average, 23rd in home runs, and 25th in OPS.
There simply isn’t any convincing evidence that this team can improve on 54 wins.