2023 AL East Preview
The 2023 MLB season begins on 3/30, but spring training is already in full effect. The Yankees won 99 games last season, and they took home the AL East crown. The Blue Jays and Rays finished in 2nd and 3rd place, respectively, and both teams made the Wild Card last season.
Let’s take a look at the odds of winning the AL East this season.
Odds to win the AL East
| Team | Odds to Win Division | Season Win Total |
| New York Yankees | +110 | 94.5 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | +215 | 91.5 |
| Tampa Bay Rays | +380 | 88.5 |
| Boston Red Sox | +1700 | 77.5 |
| Baltimore Orioles | +2200 | 76.5 |
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
The America League East was arguably the most complete division in baseball last season. The Yankees won 99 games and took home the division, while the Blue Jays (92 wins) and Rays (86 wins) made the AL Wild Card.
Despite these three teams’ successes, the two major stories in the AL East were the Orioles winning 83 games and almost making the playoffs and the Red Sox finishing with 78 wins and in last place. The Yankees (+110) are the favorite to win the division again, followed by the Blue Jays (+220) and the Rays (+350).
The Yankees got busy in free agency by resigning AL MVP Aaron Judge, and they bolstered their rotation by adding Carlos Rodon to a 6-year $162 million deal. The Blue Jays and Rays both opted to bolster their rotations this offseason as well, with Toronto inking Chris Bassitt to a three-year deal and Tampa Bay signing Zach Eflin to a three-year deal. The Blue Jays also made a splash trade for the No. 4 overall prospect in baseball, catcher/OF Daulton Varsho.
The Red Sox, coming off their worst season since 2015, spent over $180 million on free agents, but their win total is just 77.5 wins, and their odds to win the division are +2000. They lost Xander Bogaerts, one of their best players, to the Padres.
The Orioles were the darlings of the MLB last season and the biggest overperformers of any team in the Majors, but they were relatively quiet in free agency. Baltimore added a starter in Kyle Gibson and a solid bat in Adam Fraizer, but oddsmakers are not expecting this team to take another significant leap like they did last season. Baltimore’s 2023 projected win total (76.5) is lower than their 83 wins last season.
2023 AL East Bets to Consider
Anthony Volpe, New York Yankees, AL Rookie of the Year (+1100) – Volpe has already had a great spring, and it seems like the Yankees are keeping a roster spot open for Volpe to come up to the team early in the season.
Curtis Mead, Tampa Bay Rays, AL Rookie of the Year (+7500) – Mead is the Rays’ No. 1 overall prospect and should be called up this season.
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