New York Yankees fans can finally exhale for a year if the 2023 season includes beating the Houston Astros in the ALCS. Late on, no pattern seems as inevitable as the Yankees losing to Houston one round away from the World Series. The best baseball betting odds scenario for the Yankees would be knocking off their greatest postseason foe. Since 1995, the New York Yankees have missed the playoffs only four times. And from 1998 through 2000, they forged the last great dynasty in baseball with three consecutive World Series championships
2023 American League East Division
| Date and Time: | Season Opens March 30, 2023 |
|---|
AL East Division Championship Odds
| Driver | Odds |
|---|---|
| New York Yankees | +130 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | +200 |
| Tampa Bay Rays | +270 |
| Boston Red Sox | +1800 |
| Baltimore Orioles | +2500 |
Yankees Attempt to Overcome New History
Despite having a top-2 payroll during this nearly three-decade run, the Yankees have not been able to close in recent years. New York has only one World Series title (2009) since 2001.
Even if all the Yankees had done was not lose Aaron Judge, this would have been a successful offseason. But retaining Judge and Anthony Rizzo AND signing one of the best pitchers on the market made for an outstanding online betting offseason.
Now, New York owns a starting rotation of Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Nestor Cortes, Luis Severino, and Frankie Montas. With Domingo Germán and Clarke Schmidt still in the mix, too. Certainly, that starting five will be a buzzsaw in the AL East.
However, the Yankees have not done anything to improve the disappointing offense over the second half of last season. Retaining Aaron Judge and Rizzo is great. But Andrew Benintendi is headed to the White Sox, and Matt Carpenter is gone. Thus, the Yankees will enter 2023 with a worse lineup than where they ended 2022.
Gamblers Believe Jays Set to Fly
Passing the New York Yankees in the standings is the best-case scenario for the Toronto Blue Jays. Everyone knows the Blue Jays will be good, but most would predict it’s a Wild Card spot again for them. Indeed, winning the American League East is the goal.
In the pandemic shortened 2020 season, the Toronto Blue Jays managed to qualify for the postseason wild-card round. Thus, that success served to heighten expectations for 2021. Although the Blue Jays had a better win percentage in 2021, they fell one game short of the wild card round. But Toronto got back on track last year with a wild card appearance. Toronto boasts a top-10 payroll, which puts them in a position for a serious challenge in the American League East.
Rays of Hope in Tampa Bay
Fans and gamblers are beginning to see the Tampa Bay Rays spend more money. Specifically, they’re locking up players and relievers. It would be fantastic to see them make an expensive move. That could mean adding a superstar player paired with a bad contract. Accordingly, there must be some sign that they won’t always have to outsmart everyone else.
Although they are consistently at the bottom of the payroll rankings, the Tampa Bay Rays have made the playoffs for the past four seasons. And in 2020, Tampa Bay won its second American League pennant before losing the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Also, Tampa Bay won the 2020 and 2021 American League East division titles.
American League East Division Championship SBG Free Picks
In this situation, going against the Yankees is against MLB odds gravity.
AL East Division Championship SBG Best Bet: New York Yankees.