MLB Futures Bets: American League East Picks (2023)

by Matthew Buss |
Feb 11, 2023

Baseball is finally right around the corner. With spring training quickly approaching, there is never a better time to talk about preseason picks. When betting division winners, there are occasions when the favorites in February may fade away come September, leaving the door open for potentially solid payouts. In 2022, PointsBet had the Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, and New York Mets all to win their respective divisions. Not only did none of these three teams win their division, but two of them (the Brewers and White Sox) missed the playoffs altogether.

The American League East race in 2022 appeared to be over by July. The New York Yankees were the best team in baseball, and they had a sizable lead over their division rivals. As the second half of the season progressed, the Yankees began to slowly lose this lead, getting as low as 3.5 games. Ultimately, New York held on to the American League East, clinching a first-round bye. How will the AL East division battle play out in 2023?

Best AL East Division Winner Bet

Below are the odds of each American League East team winning the division, courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook:

1.) New York Yankees (+105)

Resigning Aaron Judge was a necessary first step for New York if they wanted to repeat last seasonâ€™s 99-win performance. While the returns of Judge and Anthony Rizzo may be enough to keep them favored, the losses of Jameson Taillon and Andrew Benintendi will be noticed. The Yankees have several young players that are ready to make an impact as long as aging veterans do not block their playing time. Bringing in Carlos RodÃ³n from San Fransisco gives the Yankees a stronger top-of-the-rotation than last season.

2.) Toronto Blue Jays (+220)

The talented, young core of the Blue Jays now have another full year of experience under their belts. By signing first baseman Brandon Belt and acquiring outfielders Daulton Varsho and Kevin Kiermeier, Toronto added depth while attempting to replace the bat of Teoscar Hernandez. Adding Chris Bassitt to their rotation and Chad Green to their bullpen gives them more established veterans as they look to take the American League East for the first time since 2015.

3.) Tampa Bay Rays (+380)

The Rays always seem to piece it together, and 2023 will likely be no different. Now healthy, Tyler Glasnow is a talented re-addition to an already solid Tampa Bay pitching staff. The Rays also signed Zach Eflin during the offseason, closing out what is an impressive rotation. Offensively, it will be interesting to see what Wander Franco can do if he is able to play a full season. Tampa Bay has won the AL East two of the last three years, so it is wise not to rule them out.

4.) Boston Red Sox (+1900)

The 2022 Boston Red Sox finished last in the American League East, a surprise to most Boston fans. For the 2023 season, Boston brought in contact hitter Masataka Yoshida from Japan. They were also able to bring in a veteran presence with their signings of Justin Turner, Adam Duvall, and Corey Kluber. Chris Sale, a 7-time all-star, could also make an impact in 2023 if he can remain healthy. Regardless of their additions, it will be tough to overcome their losses, losing Xander Bogaerts, J.D. Martinez, and Nathan Eovaldi.

5.) Baltimore Orioles (+2200)

The Orioles took a leap forward in 2022, finishing with 83 wins and just missing the postseason. Adding Kyle Gibson and Cole Irvin to their rotation gives Baltimore an established pitching staff. The emergence of Felix Bautista in the closer role can potentially shorten games if he can continue his 2022 performance. The success of Baltimore in 2023 will depend on how quickly their youth movement can get acclimated to the Major Leagues.

Prediction: While the return of Aaron Judge and the signing of Carlos RodÃ³n make the Yankees formidable, their lineup is still flawed. The Toronto offseason brought in many new faces, and if everything clicks, they may bring a title back to Canada.

Pick: Blue Jays (+220)

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