Here, we will be giving our MLB predictions for the 2023 AL East standings at the end of the season. If you want to hear our more in-depth breakdown from two generations of baseball fans, listen to the attached episode of the Playing Catch-Up Podcast below for the opinions of a father-son duo.
Now, let’s get started with the bottom of the barrel.
MLB Predictions for 2023 AL East Standings
5th Place: Baltimore Orioles
I really hope I’m wrong here, but I think the birds may have overachieved a year ago. America’s team for a time, but man, did they have to get hot for that to happen. This roster is promising, with Adley Ruschman and Santander being eye-openers to me in particular, but I need to see their pitching do it again. Until these prospects across the lineup can show they’re consistent, I can’t have them higher in a division this tough. While we’re all rooting for Baltimore. I guess I’ll be the one to raise the red flags. Please, prove me wrong.
4th Place: Boston Red Sox
I’m not sure what the plan is in Boston. They have too much talent, in my opinion, to be last at this time. They’ve added pieces still, with Turner and Yoshiida being especially exciting to think about. But they lose Bogaerts, and they still don’t have Chris Sale. A rotation headlined by Corey Kluber in 2023 just won’t cut it, and even if they see a return to form from some of their most disappointing guys from a year ago, it won’t do it in the AL East. If things are bad again in Boston, do we blow this whole thing up? Devers is locked in, and so are a couple of the new pieces, but other than that, we’ve been teasing a rebuild for a while. So if we’re not in the mix, then I really have worries of where they end up.
3rd Place: New York Yankees
Call me a Yankee hater, call me a cynic, but I’m mainly landing here due to health concerns. As I write this article, four Yankee starting pitchers are slated to possibly miss a month at least of action. Add in Bader, Stanton, and even worries of Aaron Judge dodging his usual injury concerns last year, and we have a major problem folks. Now, it is the Yankees, so they’ll probably figure it out. Because outside of that, this is an elite team. I loved the addition of Rodon, I’m mesmerized by the young Anthony Volpe, and of course, Judge is coming off one of the greatest seasons ever. However, I can’t shake the feeling the team as constructed last year over-achieved during their hot stretch. Now they have improved, and so if the health concerns can be confronted, this is a championship team. But for now, my worries have them third in the toughest division in baseball.
2nd Place: Toronto Blue Jays
So. Much. Talent. Listen, we can project them to underperform all we want. Yes, Biggio is still too green, and Berrios was a bust last year, and everyone under hit somehow. But listen to that. Everyone underperformed. That’s not repeatable. The Blue Jays have Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, Chapman, Springer, and on and on. They are going to hit. A new manager will help set the tone, but so will more talent. I love adding Chris Bassit to this already-loaded rotation, they brought in a couple of bullpen arms, and Daulton Varsho could be a low-key stud on this team as well. Overall, I think we’re overreacting to last year on the Blue Jays. They’ve got Cy Young-caliber arms, and MVP-caliber batters. I can’t put them atop my MLB predictions yet, but let’s stop pretending they aren’t a team to beat.
1st Place: Tampa Bay Rays
They’ll find a way. Sure, I’m buying all the Randy Arozarena stock I can right now, but I really believe this. They’re the only team I fully trust right now to find a way in this packed division, and honestly, they’re kind of loaded. Zach Eflin was a great addition to an always stellar bullpen, and the rotation could be stacked as well if Glasnow can return well to join McClanahan, Rassmussen, and Baz. Most importantly, I think they might have the most underrated lineup in the league. A healthy Wander Franco is on the way, and I think he and Arozarena are poised to have bounce-back years. Add in Yandy Diaz and Josh Lowe, and we have a classic under the radar great Rays team. Sure, I’m counting on a little Rays magic, but also they actually have the studs to do it this year. Look down on this team to your own peril, even in this hell of a division.
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