Predicting the 2022 AL East standings
Finally, after an extended lockout and months of labor strife, the 2022 MLB season is almost upon us. April 7 cannot come soon enough, the day when the regular season begins anew and we can all hopefully forget the ugliness of those labor negotiations.
It is also a time of hope. That is the case in the AL East in particular, where four of the five teams in the division have postseason aspirations. With the expanded playoffs, it is entirely possible each of those four teams will realize their goals.
Predicting the 2022 AL East standings
Strange things can happen. Unexpected teams can rise up and make noise. The AL East, which had four teams win over 90 games last season, should be a powerhouse once again. But the games still have to be played.
The 2022 MLB season is fast approaching. Let’s take a look at the possible standings for the AL East at the end of the upcoming year.
5. Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are starting to put the pieces of a core together. Adley Rutschman, DL Hall, and Grayson Rodriguez should be in the majors by the end of the year. Ryan Mountcastle, Cedric Mullins, and John Means are a good start. The problem is that they need a lot more.
Let’s face it – any team that is looking at Jordan Lyles as their second starter and Rougned Odor as a key part of the lineup is in trouble. That is especially the case given that the Orioles play in one of the tougher divisions in the majors. This is not a good team and that will reflect in the standings.
It is safe to say that the Baltimore Orioles will finish in the AL East basement. The only question is whether or not they will be closer than 39 games behind fourth at the end of the year.
4. New York Yankees
It is difficult to see how the New York Yankees got better during the offseason. In fact, with each of their moves, the other team improved.
As it was, the Yankees had a flawed roster heading into the offseason. They did not have a center fielder, the middle of the infield was a mess, the rotation after Gerrit Cole was a giant question mark, and the bullpen was a disaster in the making. Now that the offseason is over, the only real difference is that they somehow managed to get weaker behind the plate.
That just is not going to cut it. While it is foolish to count the Yankees out at any point in time, they are worse than they were at the end of last season. Chances are, this will lead to a fourth place finish in the AL East as they hover around .500.
3. Tampa Bay Rays
Every year, the Tampa Bay Rays seem to defy expectations. That may well be the case in 2022 as well, but there is a lot working against them.
Yes, the Rays have the potential for a great deal of firepower in the lineup. Having Wander Franco for a full season, as well as the impending ascensions of Josh Lowe and Vidal Brujan, can make the Rays batting order far more dangerous.
The problem is the starting rotation. Shane Baz is going to miss the first few weeks of the season. Tyler Glasnow could miss the entire 2022 season. Several other arms are day to day. The Rays have done a great job of being able to withstand injury, but in such a difficult division, they are behind the eight ball to start the year.
2. Boston Red Sox
On paper, there are questions about the Boston Red Sox. But that ignores the fact that Alex Cora may be the best manager in the game, someone that has worked miracles with the roster before.
The pitching staff has holes. Chris Sale is injured again and the back of the rotation is essentially a bunch of reclamation projects. Matt Barnes flamed out as the Red Sox closer last year and Boston did not add anyone for that role. While the lineup and defense are better with the addition of Trevor Story, that would not seem to be enough to compete in the AL East.
And then there is Cora. He has a knack for knowing exactly what buttons to push with his team. He took a roster that had disappointed in 2020 and brought them to the postseason the following year. Considering how well he has the pulse of that team, and how much they believe in him, there is no reason to think that is going to change in 2022.
1. Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays lost several key pieces. But they were also able to patch those holes effectively.
Gone are Marcus Semien, Robbie Ray, and Steven Matz. In their place, the Blue Jays have brought in Matt Chapman, Kevin Gausman, and Yusei Kikuchi. They will have a full season of Jose Berrios and Alek Manoah in the rotation, and Jordan Romano has solidified himself as their closer. Cavan Biggio has moved to second where he is a better fit. Based on those moves alone, one could say that the Blue Jays are the class of the AL East.
But they have another advantage as well. Unvaccinated players are not permitted to travel to Canada. That means that all of those unvaccinated players will be left behind for those games against the Blue Jays. For teams such as the Yankees, that could be a major loss to their roster, and an advantage that could lead to a divisional title.
Next. The 2022 MLB preseason power rankings. dark
Who do you think will take home the AL East title? Let us know in the comments below!