A.L. East preview: Jays emerge from the scrum
Toronto appears the best-balanced and healthiest, but any of four teams could win.
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
2022 Record: 92-70.
Rank in 2022 Runs: 2nd.
Runs Allowed: 9th.
Manager: Charlie Montoyo.
Rotation” Kevin Gausman, Alek Manoah, Chris Bassitt, Jose Berrios, Yusei Kikuchi.
Bullpen: Yimi Garcia, Anthony Bass, Tim Mayza, Adam Cimber, Trevor Richards, Zach Pp, Eric Swanson.
Closer: Jordan Romano.
Lineup: 1B Vlad Guerrero Jr 2B Whit Merrifield SS Bo Bichette, 3B Matt Chapman, LF Daulton Varsho, CF Kevin Kiermaier, RF George Springer, C Alejandro Kirk, DH Brandon Belt.
IL: RHP Chad Green.
Fun Fact: The Blue Jays have led the league in slugging and OPS in each of the past three years.
Projection: First. Varsho and Kiermaier put them over the top.
NEW YORK YANKEES
2022 Record: 99–63.
Rank in 2022 Runs: 1st.
Runs Allowed: 2nd.
Manager: Aaron Boone.
Rotation: Gerrit Cole, Hector Cortes, Clarke Schmidt, Domingo German, Jhoni Brito.
Bullpen: Michael King, Jonathan Loaisiga, Wandy Peralta, Jimmy Cordero,Ron Marinaccio, Albert Abreu, Tommy Kahnle, Lou Trivino.
Closer: Clay Holmes.
Lineup: 1B Anthony Rizzo, 2B Gleyber Torres, SS Anthony V
Olope, 3B DJ LeMahieu, LF Aaron Hicks, CF Harrison Bader, RF Aaron Judge, C Jose Trevino/Kyle Hisgashioka, DH Giancarlo Stanton.
IL: LHP Carlos Rodon, RHP Luis Severino.
Fun Fact: Trevino and Higashioka threw out 36 percent of base-stealers, which becomes more important this season.
Projection: Second, unless Severino and Rodon are on their game when they return.
TAMPA BAY RAYS
2022 Record: 86-76.
Rank in 2022 Runs: 9th.
Runs Allowed: 13th.
Manager: Kevin Cash.
Rotation: Shane McClanahan, Zach Eflin, Jeffrey Springs, Drew Rasmussen, Yonny Chirinos.
Bullpen: Garrett Cleavinger, Calvin Faucher, Kevin Kelly, Ryan Thompson, Luis Patino, Colin Poche.
Closer: Jason Adam/Peter Fairbanks.
Lineup: 1B Yandy Diaz, 2B Brandon Lowe, SS Wander Franco, 3B Isaac Paredes, LF Randy Arozarena, CF Jose Siri, RF Manuel Margot, C Christian Bethancourt/Francisco Meija, DH Harold Ramirez.
IL: RHP Tyler Glasnow, RHP Andrew Kittredge, RHP Shawn Armstrong.\
Fun Fact: Ramirez hit .300 last year, and 91 of his 121 hits were singles.
Projection: Third. It should be enough for the playoffs, especially if Glasnow returns.
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
2022 Record: 83-79.
Rank in 2022 Runs: 10th..
Runs Allowed:7th.
Manager: Brandon Hyde.
Rotation: Kyle Gibson, Dean Kremer, Cole Irvin, Kyle Bradish, Tyler Wells.
Bullpen: Cionel Perez, Muchal Givens, Bryan Baker, Austin Voth, Keegan Akin, Danny Coulombe, Logan Gillaspie.
Closer: Felix Bautista.
Lineup: 1B Ryan Mountcastle, 2B Ramon Urias, SS Jorge Mateo, 3B Gunnar Henderson, LF Austin Hays CF Cedric Mullins, Rf Anthony Santander C Adley Rutschman.
IL: RHP Dillon Tate.
Fun Fact: Bautista pitched only 65 ⅔ innings but his 88 strikeouts were third on the club.
Projection: The climb gets harder, but Henderson and Rutschmann could provide a short-cut.
BOSTON RED SOX
2022 Record: 78-84.
Rank in 2022 Runs: 4th.
Runs Allowed: 14th.
Manager: Alex Cora.
Rotation:: Chris Sale, Corey Kluber, Nick Pivetta, Garrett Whitlock, James Paxton.
Bullpen: Ryan Brazier, John Schreiber, Chris Martin, Richard Bleier, Josh Winckowski, Kaleb Ort, Zack Kelly.
Closer: :Kenley Jansen.
Lineup: 1B Triston Casas, 2B Christian Arroyo, SS Enrique Hernandez, 3B Rafael Devers, LF Masataka Yoshida, CF Adam Duvalll, RF Alex Verdugo, C Reese McGuire, DH Justin Turner.
IL: SS Trevor Story, RHP Joely Rodriguez, SS Adalberto Mondesi.
Fun Fact: Boston was 16-41 against Toronto, Tampa Bay and the Yankees.
Projection: The Sox once signed top players. Now they camp out at the Dodgers’ yard sale.