There was a lot of red ink spilled in the American League East Division last season. Just one AL East team showed a betting profit for the 2017 season. Baseball odds today could prove to be tricky for the upcoming AL East season. The ancient arch rival Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees have new managers. The Tampa Bay Rays showed surprise improvement in 2017. The Toronto Blue Jays fell back as a betting catastrophe last year. The Baltimore Orioles also gushed red ink. There are compelling cases to be made for and against each AL East team.
2018 American League East Futures
Date and Time: Opening Day is March 29, 2018
Location: Check Schedule
2018 AL East Betting Odds at SBG:
2018 American League East TV Coverage: Check Listings
Both the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees are consistent overlays for baseball odds today. The combination of historic success and world-wide fan “nations” drive up the price for both teams. As hated arch rivals its ironic but fitting that the Yankees and Red Sox have turned new managerial pages. The Red Sox fired manager John Farrell after five relatively successful seasons. Farrell won three American League East titles in Beantown. Boston, in fact, was the 2017 AL East Division champ. The Bosox won the 2013 World Series under Farrell. But last year’s playoff failure against eventual the World Series champion Houston Astros proved fatal. Boston went into total “flavor of the week” mode and hired Astros bench coach Alex Cora as Farrell’s replacement. Cora has no managerial experience. The Yankees meanwhile refused to renew the contract of manager Joe Girardi. Aaron Boone was hired from the radio booth to replace Girardi. In ten years Girardi won three division titles and one World Series. The Yankees were also a playoff victim to the Astros last year. Despite going 91-71 last season the Yankees bled red ink against the odds.
Toronto Blue Jays
After posting back to back playoff seasons the Toronto Blue Jays went bust at 76-86 last year. Toronto had made it to the American League Championship Series in both 2015 and 2016. Toronto was a classic online sportsbook example of typical public betting mentality last year. As the Jays slumped the public still pumped them with cash based on the previous two seasons. Only three teams lost more gambling money than the Blue Jays last season. Toronto declined its option on Jose Bautista which is indicative of a team that will retool.
Tampa Bay likely came too far too fast last year. The Rays are likely facing a “market correction” on the board this year. The Baltimore Orioles posted three playoff seasons between 2012 and 2016. Last year’s drop looks like a portent of things to come however.
Matchup to Watch
The 2018 American League East season will open with the Yankees as the baseball odds Today favorite. Their hated arch rivals from Boston are the second choice. It’s a probable two team race in the AL East. The Yankees roster depth should carry them to the pennant. Boston will be close behind as a potential wild card team.
2018 American League East Betting Odds Picks
Boone will be under intense pressure in this first season as manager of the pinstripes. The addition of Giancarlo Stanton adds to a potent lineup. Sonny Gray, Luis Severino and Masahiro Tanaka make for a strong rotation. The Yankees are the pick.
2018 American League East Betting Online Pick: New York Yankees
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