Despite what the Tampa Bay Rays did last season, the American League East will always be viewed as the Yankees and Red Sox roost until another team proves that they can unseat the two powerhouses on a consistent, year to year basis. Consequently, the 2009 AL East Betting Odds & Predictions at BetUS.com have the Yankees listed as the favorite to win the division at +100 moneyline odds.
New York finished third in the AL East last year with an 89-73 record. A post-season spent at home prompted the Yankees brass to shell out even more cash than normal as they brought in power arms C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. They also added another big stick in former Angel Mark Teixeira. If Joba Chamberlain can fulfill his potential, and Chien-Ming Wang can return to his pre-injury form, the New York starting rotation could be the most formidable in all of baseball.
Boston, currently listed at +140 moneyline odds to win the AL East, had a wonderful year in 2008 but their inability to catch the Rays in the regular season, as well as the post-season, provoked some action on the part of the Red Sox front office as well. Boston welcomed starters John Smoltz and Brad Penny while adding reliever Takashi Saito. They also sent Coco Crisp to the Royals in exchange for power reliever Ramon Ramirez.
The Rays, who will feature predominantly the same squad that won the 2008 ALCS, are — based upon the oddsmakers' listings — expected to take a step back this year. Tampa Bay, however, upgraded their offense by signing former Philly Pat Burrell and they will presumably improve their starting rotation by replacing the departed Edwin Jackson with phenom David Price.
Rounding out the division are the Blue Jays and Orioles. Toronto, who turned in a soild 86-76 record last season, is listed at +2800 odds mostly due to injuries on the pitching staff. Quality starters Shaun Marcum and Dustin McGowan are both expected to miss a good majority of the 2009 season, if not all of it. Baltimore simply has too many question marks in their starting rotation to viewed as a serious threat to contend in the AL East. Nonetheless, the O's, who are at +5000 moneyline odds to take the division, should be able to pound out some runs.
BetUS.com's 2009 AL East Betting Odds & Predictions:
New York Yankees +100
Boston Red Sox +140
Tampa Bay Rays +400
Toronto Blue Jays +2800
Baltimore Orioles +5000
