Close
Help
Settings
MLB Betting Predictions: AL East in 2017 Season

MLB Betting Predictions: AL East in 2017 Season

Written by on June 28, 2017

MLB News and Betting Previews| Xbet.ag
We’re almost to the halfway point of the 2017 MLB season, but no one is really out of contention yet in the American League’s Eastern Division. Boston (43-34) leads the division and is current favorite to win the AL East, but only by a single game. In second place are the New York Yankees, losers of seven of their last 10. Tampa Bay (three games back) and Baltimore (4 ½ games back) have both won six of their last ten to creep back into striking distance in the division, and even Toronto (6 ½ games back) has rebounded from a dreadful April and May to find themselves in the conversation. So what’s going to happen going down the stretch? As you consider futures wagers in your MLB betting strategy, take a look at our perspective on this division.

MLB Betting Predictions: AL East in 2017 Season

What about those Blue Jays?

Well, they opened 1-9 — and then 6-17. However, since then, they have won 28 of 47 games, which is second best in the American League over that stretch behind the Houston Astros. Troy Tulowitzki and Josh Donaldson have come back from some debilitating injuries, and Jose Bautista has found his bat again. Justin Smoak seems to have seen his career rise from the grave, as the former Texas prospect (and bust) who went to Seattle in the Rangers’ trade for Cliff Lee (where he was still a bust) now is raking all over the place. So don’t count the Blue Jays out, especially if the Red Sox or the Yankees can’t take off with the division.

Are the Yankees just too young to win the AL East division?

That hot New York start isn’t a mirage. They still lead the American League in runs scored per game, and they sit at second in team ERA. They’ve won four of the first five matchups with the Boston Red Sox (who rank #8 in runs per game and #4 in ERA in the AL). So why are the Yankees behind the Red Sox? Some of this has to do with injuries. Sure, Boston has 11 men on the disabled list, but the people on the shelf aren’t key contributors. Tyler Thornburg and Carson Smith are more depth pitchers in the bullpen. Third baseman Pablo Sandoval was a starter, but a lot of ink has already been spilled about how Sandoval isn’t coming close to living up to that big contract he signed — and hasn’t at any point during his time in Boston. For the Yankees, the injuries affect key contributors — C.C. Sabathia from the starting rotation, second baseman Starlin Castro and outfielder Aaron Hicks. This means that the Yankees have more holes in their starting lineup than the Red Sox do. Also, Masahiro Tanaka, nominally the team’s ace, has given up 21 home runs so far this season. He did hold a strong Rangers offense scoreless for eight innings his last time out, so he could be on the mend mentally. But it’s tough to argue that he’s back to ace status on the basis of a single start.

Can the Red Sox dominate the AL East East?

On paper, Boston has three “ace” pitchers — David Price, Rick Porcello and Chris Sale. However, Porcello has posted an unsightly 5.00 ERA so far this season. Sale has taken some hard-luck losses due to low run support, but his ERA is also somewhat higher than what some people would have expected. Then there’s Price, whose career track record at Fenway Park — and in the postseason — probably should have clued the Red Sox in on what he would do in pressure situations. Even so, Boston is in first, despite the fact that their hitting has not yet really jelled. Dustin Pedroia, Hanley Ramirez and Mookie Betts are all posting OPS+ totals that are well below last year. We’ll know more when the Pinstripes visit Fenway for a four-game set to open up the second half of the season. Right now, though, I think Boston has the highest ceiling of any team in the East, so my futures money would be on them to win. The Red Sox are top favorites to win the AL East Division

Upcoming AL East Game Schedule

Toronto Blue Jays

  • June 28th, 2017 vs Baltimore Orioles. 7:07pm ET
  • June 29th, 2017 vs Baltimore Orioles. 7:07pm ET
  • June 30th, 2017 vs Boston Red Sox. 7:07pm ET
  • July 1st, 2017 vs Boston Red Sox. 1:07pm ET
  • July 2nd, 2017 vs Boston Red Sox. 1:07pm ET

New York Yankees

  • June 28th, 2017 @Chicago White Sox. 8:10pm ET
  • June 29th, 2017 @Chicago White Sox. 8:10pm ET
  • June 30th, 2017 @ Houston Astros. 8:10pm ET
  • July 1st, 2017 @ Houston Astros. 7:15pm ET
  • July 2nd, 2017 @ Houston Astros. 2:10pm ET

Boston Red Sox

  • June 28th, 2017 vs Minnesota Twins. 7:10pm ET
  • June 29th, 2017 vs Minnesota Twins. 7:10pm ET
  • June 30th, 2017 @ Toronto Blue Jays. 7:07pm ET
  • July 1st, 2017 @ Toronto Blue Jays. 1:07pm ET
  • July 2nd, 2017 @ Toronto Blue Jays. 1:07pm ET

Latest AL East Betting Trends

Toronto Blue Jays

  • 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
  • 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
  • Odds to Win AL East Division: TBA
  • Odds to Win AL Conference: TBA

New York Yankees

  • NY Yankees is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
  • NY Yankees is 3-11 SU in its last 14 games
  • NY Yankees is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
  • NY Yankees is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games on the road
  • Odds to Win AL East Division: TBA
  • Odds to Win AL Conference: TBA

Boston Red Sox

  • 12-4 SU in its last 16 games at home
  • The total went UNDER in 4 of Boston’s last 6 games at home
  • Odds to Win AL East Division: TBA
  • Odds to Win AL Conference: TBA
Help Center