The lockout is still in full swing, but baseball will return at some point this season. The AL East is one of the most contested divisions in baseball heading into the season. There will not be 162 games, but all these clubs will beat each other up for whatever number of contests are played in 2022.
This division is a four-horse race, which is significant in a five-team division. There are numerous betting angles for this division, but the only unanimous thought is to not bet on the Orioles.
Let’s get into the picks!
AL East Betting Odds
The Yankees are favored to win the division at +210. This means a $100 wager would pay out $310. New York was +170 a few weeks ago, but the lockout has caused the Yankees odds to improve for bettors.
The Rays are now tied for first with the New York Yankees at +210. Bookmakers likely think a shortened season favors the Rays, and this is true. The squad is not loaded with star power, but they always make the most of any season.
A shortened season limits liability and slumps. This helps the Rays in the betting markets. The Blue Jays are third at +240, so bookmakers expect the young core on this team to deliver in 2022.
The Red Sox, who are +500, could have the most value of any team in the AL East. They will be in the mix if Boston grabs a necessary piece like a high leverage reliever and a power bat following the lockout.
This team was not supposed to be anywhere near the top of the division, and they hosted the American League Wild Card, dominating the Yankees with Gerrit Cole on the bump.
If you want to take a risk on the Orioles, you can grab them for +15000. These odds are tremendous, but I would bet my life on this team not winning the division. You can say “stranger things have happened” to validate the bet, but you are just making a donation to your sportsbook of choice by betting on the Orioles.
Who to Bet?
The New York Yankees are at the top of the betting markets because they are the Yankees. The pinstripes have some mystique to them still, but New York has not done much outside of the division in the coming seasons. The Bparlay guide on how to bet on Draftkings is a recommended read for our subscribers.
The problem with New York is that the whole team consists of power bats that strike out. If the Bronx Bombers are not bombing the baseball, they do not have a championship team. New York is still a threat because of their money, but they need a complementary roster. The BParlay.com MLB betting guide provides some interesting facts and other pieces of relevant news.
This does not exist at the current moment. Complementary baseball is why the Rays have been able to dominate in MLB over the years. The team has a small cap space, but they still find ways to win games.
It also helps that they have the best young player on the planet in Wander Franco. Tyler Glasnow will not pitch for the Rays this season which will be hard to overcome, but they find ways to win.
Summary of the best bets
The Blue Jays are the best bet, in my opinion. They have a loaded pitching staff with a great core of young players. This group is headlined by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who finished second in the MVP race last season.
This should be the year Toronto asserts itself as a legitimate contender for a World Series. The best bet may be the Blue Jays, but the Red Sox have the most value. I do not think they will win the AL East, but they will fight for a playoff spot.
Anything can happen down the stretch with players like Rafael Devers and Xander Bogaerts. For +500 odds, it’s hard to neglect Boston. Stay up to date with the league on the Official MLB news pages.
Best Bet: Blue Jays +240
Most Value: Red Sox +500
