Making a May bold prediction for every AL East team

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The American League East is the hardest division in baseball, which is incredibly exciting and frustrating for every fanbase.

If you’ve followed the AL East for awhile, you’re used to this being the best division in baseball. For years, it was typically a battle between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. However, over the past decade, the Tampa Bay Rays have emerged as one of the favorites every year.

As it currently stands, that same thing is playing out this year.

The Rays were projected to be a playoff team this year, but nobody saw this start from them. They began the year 13-0 and are currently 21-5 entering Friday’s play. With a nearly perfect record at home, the Rays are the best team in baseball.

Despite their inability to spend like the Yankees or Red Sox, they’ve continued to stay competitive and very fun to watch. As a result, let’s take a look at the a bold prediction for each team in the AL East, starting with the Rays.

Bold predictions for each AL East team

Tampa Bay Rays: McClanahan Will Be Cy Young Favorite

After finishing sixth in Cy Young voting, while being named to the All-Star team last season, Shane McClanahan is slowly turning into not only one of the best pitchers in the AL East, but in all of baseball.

The 25-year-old is pitching so well right now that he’ll probably be traded in the offseason for a bunch of prospects and will be offered a $200 million contract by one of the giants. That’s just what seems to be in Tampa Bay. However, before we get there, let’s look at McClanahan’s numbers this season.

In four starts, McClanahan has a 4-0 record, 1.86 ERA, 1.034 WHIP and is averaging 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings.

Based on his start, my bold prediction is that he’ll emerge as the AL Cy Young favorite after the month of May. He’ll be in tough company, as Gerrit Cole is currently the favorite to win and is pitching amazing so far, but I think McClanahan is just getting started.

He’s turning into a must-watch pitcher every time he steps on the mound.

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – APRIL 24: Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox hits a home run against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 24, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

Boston Red Sox: Devers will be home run leader

After a “slow” 2022, Rafael Devers is back to his 2021 self and is mashing the baseball right now. Devers already has nine home runs in only 101 at-bats and is one of the best sluggers in the AL East.

Devers is no stranger to hitting dingers, hitting a career-high 38 homers in 2021. The Red Sox were projected to be near the bottom of the AL East this year, and probably will be, but Devers has been a bright spot thus far.

Max Muncy currently leads the MLB in home runs with 11, so Devers is only two behind. However, by the end of May, Devers will be the league-leader in that category. A few big name players like Pete Alonso and Aaron Judge are knocking on the door but, by the way Devers is hitting the ball right now, I expect him to be the league leader by month’s end.

Baltimore Orioles: Team will be fifth in AL East

The Orioles are currently second in the AL East and are one of the biggest surprises in baseball. Led by Cedric Mullins and Ryan Mountcastle, the Orioles have been driving in runs and winning games many of us didn’t expect.

However, by the end of May, that’s going to change.

If you look at the team stats, Baltimore isn’t doing anything special. They’re pitching is 17th in ERA and 18th in batting average against (BAA), while they’re 10th in BAA themselves. With series against Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Angels, Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees all in the month of May, I’d expect Baltimore to go on a losing slide and be at the bottom of the AL East by month’s end.

Sorry, Baltimore fans, but this nice start is about to get ugly.

Apr 1, 2023; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (11) follows through on a single against the San Francisco Giants during the second inning at Yankee Stadium. The hit was hit first major league hit. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Toronto Blue Jays will lead the AL East

After a slow start, the Toronto Blue Jays are heating up. Over the past week, they’ve yet to allow more than two runs, while their offense is one of the best in baseball.

With that combination, the Blue Jays are going to be very hard to beat and the month of May should be very kind to them. They have 15 matchups against AL East opponents in May, so as a result, they should be able to leapfrog a few teams and be atop of the division in 30 days.

Within those 15 games, it wouldn’t be shocking if the Blue Jays go 10-5 or better because of how great their pitching and hitting is. Kevin Gausman looks like a favorite for the AL Cy Young award this year, while Bo Bichette, Matt Chapman and Vlad Guerrero are all top-eight in hits right now.

The Blue Jays are legit and will lead the AL East by June 1.

New York Yankees: Anthony Volpe will break out

The Yankees may have finally found their replacement for Derek Jeter in Anthony Volpe. The youngster is emerging as a Rookie of the Year favorite, but is about to breakout.

In 25 games, Volpe is currently has a .228 BA, .354 SLG with two home runs and seven RBI, but that’s about to change. Prior to joining the Yankees, Volpe had never even played Triple-A, so jumping into the big-leagues is a big change for the 22-year-old, but after a month of learning the ropes, expect Volpe’s hitting numbers to rise.

So far, he’s looked great everywhere else, as he’s been fantastic defensively. Not only that, but his speed has been a factor to the Yankees winning games, as he’s third in the AL in stolen bases. His speed and defensive-responsibility make him a great player to begin with, but I expect his bat to finally catch up to the rest of his skills.

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Volpe showed some power in the minor-leagues, so with a short porch in right-field and finally getting used to wearing pinstripes, expect a big month for Volpe.

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