Who wins the AL East?

by: Mr East

The American League East is by far the best division in baseball. This division holds 3 of the top 4 winningest teams in MLB baseball despite the fact they have to play each othe repeatedly. While the Cincinnati Reds may be a god story in the NL Central, let's take a look at some dramatic differences. The Yankees as of the standings today, will finish the season playing 102 games vs teams with a winning record, while the Reds will finish the season playing 101 against teams with losing records. Put the Reds in the AL East and they aren't even a story.

So who has the leg up in the AL East, as we open the second half? The Yankees will always be favored, and have the lead, but are they positioned to hang on? The talent and pitching is there, and with MR. Automatic in the back of the pen, so is the terminator. The Yankees have feasted on their games vs sub-.500 teams at 27-8 so far, better than any AL team, but stack them against the Rays 30-21 vs winning teams, Boston 35-27 vs winning teams, the Yankee 30-25 mark is the worst amongst the top 3 in the division. The Yanks play 47 vs teams .500+ from here on out, the Rays 46 and the Sox 45, so no advantage there.

Here is where the bggest advantage lies. The Tampa Bay Rays, if they can stay in striking distance down the stretch will be poised to take the division, and here is why. They finish with 10 games vs Seatle,Kansas City, and Baltimore as their final 10 games. The Red Sox finish with 10 straight vs winning teams, and the Yankees finish with 13 straight vs winning teams. The Rays will be done with both the Yankees, and the Red Sox, while the Yanks and Sox clash 6 times in the final 10. The Rays will hope they beat up on each other while they are winning big vs the cupcakes they face down the stretch, 7 of the 10 at home.

It will be interesting to say the least, but as a betting man, I'm hanging the AL East flag in Tampa.

Good Luck as always,

East

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