2021 MLB predictions: Breaking down the AL East
The season is about to get underway, and with that comes out 2021 MLB predictions. First on the docket will be one of the more intriguing divisions in the game – the AL East.
This division holds the defending AL champions in the Tampa Bay Rays, the powerhouse New York Yankees, and the up and coming Toronto Blue Jays. In addition, the Boston Red Sox hope to contend in 2021 and the Baltimore Orioles are trying to come out of their rebuild.
2021 MLB predictions: The AL East
With Opening Day fast approaching, teams are starting to sort their rosters out, aligning their pitching staff and getting their regulars ready to go. Hope springs eternal, even if there does not seem to be much reason for it.
Who will win the AL East? Let’s look into our crystal ball and find out.
5. Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are in a rough spot. Not only are they still in the midst of a rebuild, but they are attempting to retool their roster in one of the more difficult divisions in the game.
Baltimore does have some pieces. John Means appears to be a solid middle of the rotation arm. The farm system, long one of the worst in the game, now boasts five top 100 prospects, including two pitchers that the Orioles hope can front their rotation.
While they have been building the farm system, the Orioles have done what they can to pare down their payroll. In theory, this will allow them to extend those youngsters to solidify their core. However, the continued presence of Chris Davis and his bloated contract does limit their flexibility.
The future may be bright for the Baltimore Orioles. But that future will not come in 2021.
4. Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox may be one of the more frustrating teams when it comes to the 2021 MLB predictions. This is a team with talent, but it just does not seem to be enough to contend for a postseason berth.
The Red Sox are going to put up runs. The middle of their lineup is still solid, even if their Killer B outfield is gone. Maybe the roster is not what it was, but Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers, and a healthy J.D. Martinez are still a solid trio.
Boston’s question is virtually everything else. The bullpen, which was a disaster last year, is not any better. The Red Sox rotation is filled with question marks, especially as Chris Sale will be lost for a portion of the upcoming season. Additionally, the rest of the lineup has talent, but has yet to really reach their potential.
If everything breaks right for the Red Sox, they can contend in 2021. However, it is far more likely that they fade away, settling in as the fourth place team in a tough division.
3. Toronto Blue Jays
Unlike the Red Sox and Orioles, the Blue Jays are out of their rebuild. However, they still need a couple more pieces to truly contend.
The lineup is already formidable with the potential to become even better. Toronto’s second generation stars have stepped up and begun to carry the offense. The additions of George Springer and Marcus Semien make that lineup even more dangerous, as the Blue Jays should put up plenty of runs.
Their issue is with their pitching staff. Hyun-Jin Ryu is a solid top of the rotation arm, but the Blue Jays desperately need a viable second and third option. That could come in the form of their pitching prospects, but Nate Pearson is battling injuries. The same can be said of the bullpen, where closer Kirby Yates will miss multiple weeks of the season.
The Toronto Blue Jays are close. If they can add another arm or two at the trade deadline, they may be able to sneak into the postseason.
2. Tampa Bay Rays
The focus with the Tampa Bay Rays always comes down to who they lost. But year in and year out, the Rays make prognosticators look foolish. That will probably be the case with majority of the 2021 MLB predictions this year as well.
No, the Rays do not have the same pitching staff they had last year when they went to the World Series. However, they do boast impressive depth, potentially going eight deep in their starting rotation. As teams will be facing unprecedented innings jumps all year, having that depth could be the Rays’ greatest strenght.
Likewise, the offense is still solid. Randy Arozarena broke out as a postseason star and is still rookie eligible. Austin Meadows was an All Star in 2019 before collapsing last year. The Rays offense could break out again in 2021, covering up any possible issues with the rotation.
Every year, people want to count out the Tampa Bay Rays. And every year, they do better than expected.
1. New York Yankees
The biggest question with the New York Yankees is their health.
On paper, and if healthy, the Yankees have one of the most talented teams in the game. Their lineup is filled with impressive power, while their pitching staff has several top of the rotation arms and a deep bullpen. This is a team that could not only win the division, but go on a deep run in the playoffs.
But the question is whether or not they can stay healthy. The Yankees have been hammered by the injury bug over the past few years, particularly when it comes to Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. Corey Kluber and Jameson Taillon, their two biggest pitching acquisitions, are coming off of injury as well. The talent is there, but so are the question marks.
Next. Breaking down the Yankees pitching staff. dark
The New York Yankees are betting that they can stay healthy in 2021. If that happens, this is the team to beat in the AL East.