AL East contenders and pretenders
The Tampa Bay Rays are arguably the best team currently in the majors. They are a low-payroll team that continues to make low-risk, high-reward moves that pay off. Manager Kevin Cash is again one of the best in-game managers and decision-makers. They can pitch, hit and play defense, a very good combination to have.
If you have not caught on to the Baltimore Orioles, then it’s time to pay close attention. Catcher Adley Rutschman leads behind the plate and in the lineup, while their hitting and pitching are in the middle of the majors, but they can put up as many runs on a nightly basis as they give up. They did have a tough weekend against the Texas Rangers, losing two out of three after taking two out of three against the New York Yankees and sweeping the Toronto Blue Jays in the last week.
Speaking of the Yankees, they have battled their way through injuries, but they finally did cut ties with the struggling Aaron Hicks. Gerrit Cole has anchored the rotation and is in the early conversation for the AL Cy Young Award, while Aaron Judge is getting hot after hitting 62 home runs last season.
Aaron Judge hits a home run as the Blue Jays broadcasters wonder why he keeps glancing toward the dugout pic.twitter.com/ZrOY7grbYV
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) May 16, 2023
The two wild cards in the division are the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays. The Red Sox offense is always going to keep them in games, but there are still questions surrounding their starting rotation and bullpen. The most disappointing team in the division without a doubt is the Blue Jays, who have struggled to put together consistent hitting and pitching.
Contenders: Tampa Bay, Baltimore, and New York
Pretenders: Boston and Toronto