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AL East Strongest Division So Far

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A little over two weeks into the 2023 MLB season, it remains a bit early to have a firm idea of the best and worst teams. However, there have been enough games so far to see some broad patterns. One of these is that the AL East has been the strongest division overall. Spearheaded by the Tampa Bay Rays and their historic start, every team in the division is holding their own so far. This might not last, but so far the East is flexing its collective muscle. Here is a closer look at how each team is contributing to the AL East’s fortitude early in 2023.

The AL East is the Strongest Division in MLB (So Far)

Rays Off to Dominant Start

The biggest storyline in the AL East so far, and perhaps in all of MLB, is the Rays’ early dominance. They started 13-0, tying the modern-era record. Despite their first series loss this weekend against the Toronto Blue Jays, they sit comfortably atop the division at 14-2.  Tampa Bay has been impeccable in every facet, combining power hitting, baserunning, and shutdown pitching to overwhelm their opponents. Their run differential of +72 (114 runs scored, 42 allowed) is practically unheard of at this point of the season.

Wander Franco (.318 average, .987 OPS) and Randy Arozarena (.293 average, 17 RBI) are the top offensive contributors, although run production is fairly evenly spread throughout the lineup. Meanwhile, Shane McClanahan (1.57 ERA, 27 strikeouts) and Jeffrey Springs (0.56 ERA, 24 K) lead a rotation that has mowed through its opposition thus far. The Rays are usually considered a dark horse contender in the AL East. Even when they’re not a preseason favorite, it’s rarely a surprise to see them as the strongest team in the division at any point. But the degree to which they’ve dominated early on is a surprise, and it would be considered so for any team.

Blue Jays Looking to Take Next Step

The Blue Jays have fielded some strong teams in the last couple of years. After narrowly missing the playoffs in 2021 following a furious September push, they entered 2022 with sky-high expectations. While they did enough to make the postseason, they finished well back of the New York Yankees in the East. As a result, Toronto had to play in the Wild Card round, where the Seattle Mariners brought their season crashing to a halt. The Jays are looking to move past these recent disappointments and take a big step forward in 2023.

So far, the Blue Jays are holding their own, off to a 10-6 record. Early standouts include Matt Chapman, with a .421 average and a team-high 15 RBI, and Bo Bichette, who is hitting .375 with four homers. On the pitching side, Toronto is off to a rocky start, but the biggest bright spot has been Kevin Gausman. In three starts, Gausman has racked up 25 strikeouts while pitching to a 1.35 ERA and 1.000 WHIP. As the rest of the offense and rotation picks up steam, expect the Jays to be right in the AL East mix late in the year. If they make the postseason, they have more than enough tools to make a deep run.

Yankees Holding Steady

After beating the Minnesota Twins on Sunday to salvage a four-game split, the Yankees remain the only MLB team to not lose a series in 2023. Despite this distinction, the Bombers also have not swept a series, keeping them in a second-place tie with Toronto. Like the Jays, the Yankees have been unable to get over the hump in recent years, although they’ve routinely made it farther than Toronto. Fundamental issues, particularly the offense routinely taking a snooze in the postseason, have kept them out of the World Series since 2009. Still, the Yankees remain a perennial contender in the AL East, and this year is no exception.

Aaron Judge is out to one-up his historical 2022 season, and he’s off to a solid start. He has five homers through 16 games while hitting a respectable .286. While these numbers are satisfactory, we know Judge has lots of room for improvement. If he stays healthy, he should continue to mash. Judge was the obvious team MVP last year (he won league MVP to prove it), and so far, the 2023 Yankees MVP is just as clear-cut. Gerrit Cole has been nothing short of dominant to start the season. He has won all four of his starts, posting a 0.95 ERA and 0.74 WHIP while striking out 32.

Sunday’s start was his best yet, a complete game two-hit shutout over Minnesota. If Cole keeps this up all season, he could win his first career Cy Young Award.

While Giancarlo Stanton‘s hamstring injury is cause for concern, the Yankees are deep enough to contend throughout the season. They are rarely out of the mix in the AL East and, as usual, they’re a big reason the division has been the strongest in MLB so far.

O’s Youth Revolution Is At Hand

The Baltimore Orioles appear to have finally turned the corner. After spending the better part of the last decade as an AL East doormat, manager Brandon Hyde has them in position to contend once again. This is largely thanks to a patient and smart rebuild. While the big-league team struggled on the field, Baltimore’s front office drafted and developed young talent very well. That approach is finally paying off. After exceeding expectations in 2022, the O’s are above .500 (9-7) early on and hope to remain so the rest of the way.

Adley Rutschman, considered to be the future franchise cornerstone, is off to a sizzling start in 2023. After his big-league promotion last year, the 25-year-old catcher is hitting .344 with 4 homers and 13 RBI to begin his first full season. Other young hitters such as Jorge Mateo and Ryan Mountcastle are supplementing the offense. Meanwhile, Kyle Gibson and Tyler Wells have each provided strong starting pitching thus far. It is unknown how Baltimore will follow up their surprise season of 2022, but if they stay above water they could contend late into this season.

Red Sox Staying Afloat

While the Boston Red Sox are currently last in the AL East, they have avoided a deep hole thanks to their .500 record (8-8). Pessimism abounded in Boston coming into the season, as the team’s offseason moves were heavily criticized. After letting Xander Bogaerts get away in free agency, they signed aging stars Justin Turner, Corey Kluber, and James Paxton. While those guys largely have yet to get going, one offseason signing in particular has paid off. Adam Duvall got off to a red-hot start, hitting .455 with four homers, 14 RBI, and a 1.544 OPS through eight games. Unfortunately, Duvall broke his wrist on April 9 and went on the IL. If he can pick it back up when he returns, it will be a boon to Boston’s lineup. While this was thought to be a potential disaster season for Boston, it has not reached that level yet.

AL East Should Remain Strong

The AL East has the highest collective winning percentage of any division to start the 2023 season. At a combined 51-29 (.638) every team is at .500 or above. Ironically, the division currently has the highest gulf between first and second place, with Tampa Bay enjoying a four-game cushion over Toronto and New York. The Rays certainly look like a juggernaut, but their current pace appears unsustainable. The race should tighten at some point, although it’s always possible for one team to catch fire and run away with it.

So far, the AL East looks well-equipped to send multiple teams to the postseason if its strong overall play continues. The intradivisional games will go a long way toward deciding the race. With fewer of those this year due to scheduling changes, each divisional matchup will be more precious to each team. Based on these first several games, it should be an interesting year in the AL East.

 

Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Players Mentioned: Wander Franco, Randy Arozarena, Shane McClanahan, Jeffrey Springs, Matt Chapman, Bo Bichette, Kevin Gausman, Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole, Giancarlo Stanton, Adley Rutschman, Jorge Mateo, Ryan Mountcastle, Kyle Gibson, Tyler Wells, Xander Bogaerts, Justin Turner, Corey Kluber, James Paxton, Adam Duvall

Managers Mentioned: Brandon Hyde

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