AL East Preview 2022
The MLB season is getting closer, with Opening Day on Thursday and Friday between all 30 teams.
The AL East has an argument as the strongest division this season. Last year, four of the five teams won over 90 games, and with the playoffs expanding this season under the new CBA, there is a possibility this division will have four playoff teams.
Here’s a preview each AL East team heading into the 2022 season.
Tampa Bay Rays
No matter how low their payroll is, the Rays will continue to find ways to win.
Tampa Bay fell short in its playoffs against Boston last season, but won 100 games, and it will have more World Series aspirations this year.
This lineup has become one the deepest in the American League. Between young stars Wander Franco and Randy Arozarena and sluggers around them, this Rays team is going to do some mashing.
If there’s any concern, it’s with their starting rotation.
At full strength, it’s one of the best in the league, but they’re already set to miss Shane Baz for the start of the season. However, if any team can make a short-handed pitching staff work, it’s Tampa Bay.
Boston Red Sox
After pushing the Astros to six games in last season’s ALCS, the Red Sox will be back hoping for just a bit more.
The lineup remains mostly unchanged, outside of the addition of their new second basemen, Trevor Story, after he signed a six-year contract with Boston.
Story will add more power to the lineup and is a plus defensively. The Red Sox will need their offense to carry them, though, as like the Rays, they have a beat-up rotation.
Chris Sale, one of baseball’s best pitchers when healthy, has had a lot of injuries over the past few years. He’s set to miss Opening Day due to injury. Without him, Boston’s rotation won’t see much success.
New York Yankees
Despite winning 92 games last year and making the playoffs, the Yankees were a bit of a disappointment, and they fell to Boston in the AL Wild Card Game.
New York made some moves over the offseason to address its defense, which should be better. It also added former MVP Josh Donaldson to the mix, who will be the starting third baseman.
In the rotation, Gerrit Cole will once again be the ace, with Luis Severino returning from injury. There’s an upside to the pitching staff but some possible concerns.
A deep bullpen and Aaron Judge, Joey Gallo and Giancarlo Stanton destroying baseballs should make up for any rotation issues.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays barely missed the playoffs last season, but this is still a loaded young team.
Despite the departures of Marcus Semien and last year’s AL Cy Young Robbie Ray, Toronto could be the favorite in the division.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette have already established themselves as two of the games’ best players at 23 and 24 years old, respectively. If it weren’t for a once-in-a-lifetime season from Shohei Ohtani, Guerrero Jr. Would've taken home an AL MVP award last season.
All five of their projected starting pitchers have the capability to put together a strong season, as well.
Because of pandemic restrictions, the Blue Jays only got to play 36 games at their home ballpark last season, where they went 25-11. That could be a sign of a huge advantage this season.
Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles are still rebuilding, so they will likely lose a lot of games again this season. However, there will still be a lot of positives this year in Baltimore.
Cedric Mullins was an All-Star last season with over 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases and is one of the game’s better players.
What is most intriguing about the Orioles this season is the arrival of two top prospects: Adley Rutschman and Grayson Rodriguez.
Rutschman, baseball’s top catching prospect, profiles as a good defensive catcher with a power bat. Rodriguez is the league’s top pitching prospect and looks to be a top-of-the-rotation starter.
While the Orioles won’t win many games again this season, their top-end prospect talent will make them more entertaining.
Daniel Mader is a second-year student majoring in digital/print journalism. To contact him, email dbm5725@psu.edu.
