From 5 World Sequence contenders with probably the most strain to 1 staff from every American League division with extra to achieve than lose in 2024.
AL EAST: Boston Pink Sox (PECOTA projection: fifth place, 79.1 wins)
Boston completed on the backside of the AL East with 78 victories in every of the final two seasons. Their pitching workers has potential if newly acquired right-hander Lucas Giolito can discover his pre-2020 type (4.88 ERA in ’23). The bullpen has a number of unknowns and nearer Kenley Jansen is presently coping with a lat subject.
The important thing on the offensive facet lies with shortstop Trevor Story. If he can keep wholesome and return to the high-average/energy combo participant that he was in Colorado, then this lineup ought to rating sufficient runs to remain aggressive.
Backside line: In 2021, PECOTA projected Boston to win 80 video games. They ended up with 92 victories and a visit to the ALCS. A 3rd-place end or higher on this extremely aggressive division needs to be thought of a hit. The strain to win is often immense in Beantown, however with so many query marks on this roster, there’s much more to achieve by exceeding expectations than there’s to lose by ending within the basement as soon as once more.
AL CENTRAL: Detroit Tigers (PECOTA projection: third place, 74.7 wins)
The Tigers on the up-and-up in 2021 after successful 77 video games two years after ending 47-114. In 2022, they declined with 66 victories and adopted that up final season with a 78-84 report.
PECOTA predicts an eighth consecutive dropping marketing campaign, and as per traditional, expectations are pretty low within the Motor Metropolis regardless of some believing that just a few rising stars might change that.
The Tigers misplaced workers ace, Eduardo Rodriguez, to free company, and although Kenta Maeda and Jack Flaherty have been added to the rotation, the important thing to success could very nicely fall on 27-year-old southpaw Tarik Skubal (7-3, 2.80 ERA in ’23).
The lineup has a strong righty-lefty mixture of seasoned veterans and up-and-comers. If Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene take the subsequent steps towards turning into franchise gamers, then this offense needs to be higher than projected.
Backside line: If the Tigers proceed to seesaw within the depths of mediocrity, then ultimately the boos shall be heard. The strain is low in ’24, however difficult the Twins for the division crown is not out of attain. Rather a lot to achieve and little to lose in Detroit.
AL WEST: Texas Rangers (PECOTA projection: second place, 85.9 wins)
Can a defending World Sequence champion have extra to achieve than lose within the following season? Maybe, contemplating that the Rangers Opening Day rotation is led by a bunch of growing older veterans and ace Nathan Eovaldi. Regardless of his magnificent 2023 postseason (5-0, 2.95 ERA), Eovaldi has tossed 150 or extra frames one time since 2016.
In the meantime, a key rotation piece from final yr, Jordan Montgomery, is a free agent and may re-sign with Texas, which might be an enormous enhance. Max Scherzer (again surgical procedure) and Jacob deGrom (Tommy John surgical procedure) are hoping to return for the second half.
The lineup seems to be good regardless of Corey Seager (sports activities hernia) and Josh Jung (calf) in query for Opening Day. If the offense has no extra setbacks, then it might be even higher than final yr.
Backside line: PECOTA initiatives Houston to win the AL West for a fourth consecutive season. Contemplating that no staff has gained back-to-back World Sequence titles because the Yankees claimed three straight from ’98-’00, would it not be a failure if Texas made a deep playoff run once more, however misplaced? If the Rangers play nicely, however do not repeat, they at the least show that 2023 was not an aberration. That will be a achieve for this franchise.
