Predicting the AL East

      I will begin by comparing my predictions for 2026 with Pecota Predictions.  In the baseball world Pecota is considered the expert with all their computers and analytics.  I accept the Challenge.

AL EAST

        Pecota         Wins                                                           Cru's Corner        Wins

1.    Tor                88.8                                                            1. Balt                    90

2.     Yanks            88.4                                                           2.  Tor                    88

3.    Balt                83.4                                                           3.   Yanks               86

4.    Bos                82.8                                                            4.    Bos                81

5.    T.B.                81.6                                                            5.    T.B.                79

     After the most exiting World Series in recent baseball history, The Toronto Blue Jays enter the 2026 season as many teams favorite to repeat in the American league.  My take on the Blue Jays is different.  Everything went right last season for the Blue Jays, including George Springer finding the fountain of youth and young pitchers like Trey Yesavage peaking at the very end of the season.  It is true the new infield of Shortstop Andre's Gimenez and now Second Baseman Ernie Clement (moving over to from third), along with third baseman Kazuma Okamoto will be great defensively.  But I believe they will see a loss in offensive production and will slip at least to second in this tough East Division.  

     The Baltimore Orioles had as much bad luck last season as the Jays had good.  With the pick up of "Polar Bear" Pete Alonso at first base and Taylor Ward in left field, this team is ready to return to 2024 form.  First round draft picks Jordan Westburg, Adley Rutschman, Dylan Beavers, and Colton Cowser are all now experienced players ready to explode into their potential. Samuel Bassalo is a new addition from the Dominican that can flat out rake, and will likely be the everyday Designated Hitter.  Some will point to Jackson Holiday's hamate bone injury as concern, however the addition of Blaze Alexander will fill that void.  Having traded for Dean Kremer, Trevor Rogers, Kyle Brandish, Shane Baz, over the past few years has made this pitching staff formidable. I got the Orioles winning the whole American League and representing in the World Series.

     The New York Yankees are a mystery.  I love their line-up from top to bottom.  Players like Chaz Chisholm Jr compliment players like Ben Rice with speed and chaos working alongside power.  Aaron Judge is one of the greatest hitters in baseball history.  And Bellinger and Grisham are the kind of consistency a team needs in a 162 game schedule.  All that being said, I don't trust Aaron Boone to keep egos in check.  How does Gerrit Cole come back from injury and is Cam Schlitter's back issues a problem?  Just too many questions for the Yankees this year; however a wild card is not unreasonable.

     The Boston Red Sox simply did nothing in the off-season to make themselves better.  They let Bregman go to the Cubs and will trying to replace his production with Marcelo Mayer.  Trevor story is aging at 33 years old and shortstop seems to lead to injuries every year for him.  Their outfield of Roman Anthony, Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, and Ceddanne Rafela, is one of the better in all of baseball.  And with Garrett Crochet, Ranger Saurez, and sonny Gray in the rotation this team will finish close to .500.  Red Sox fans will be screaming for General Manager Craig Breslow's firing by July 4th.

     The Tampa Bay Rays seem to surprise me almost every year.  They don't spend a ton of money, but their management team always keeps them competitive.  I don't see how they battle this year in the second best division in baseball.  Gavin Lux is a solid everyday addition at second base and Junior Caminero is one of the best young power hitters in the game, but after that their roster is a bunch of average older ball players. Ryan Pepiot, Drew Rasmussen, and Shane McClanahan are three good starters and will keep them in games early, but if Edwin Uceta or Griffin Jax don't dominate in the eighth and ninth inning, this team may be in trouble.  Depth in their bullpen is awful.  

     I know Pecota says the Orioles are a .500 team.  I think they are way off.  I got Baltimore here.