Passion for the Pastime: AL East

Who is the beast in the East? Well for as long as we can all remember it has been the team sporting the pinstripes. this 2020 season, could be a bit different. Yankees still have a lot of fire power on offense but the injury bug just wont leave them, taking Severino for the season and Stanton off of the Opening Day roster, with Aaron Judge's status very much in the air. This is the time for a team to catch the Yankees, and why not the team that was hot on the tail all of the 2019 season, Tampa Bay Rays. With more of the same from last year and a power threat in Hunter Renfroe, who they acquired in a trade with the Padres back in December, the Rays may be poised to sit on top of the AL East. The Red Sox, after trading Mookie Betts and David Price find themselves in a rebuild situation. Yes they can compete, but they are one devastating injury away from calling 2020 a wash. Chris Sale is dealing with an elbow issue, that could be the devastating injury, should he need Tommy John, much like rival Yankees pitcher Luis Severino. In Canada, the "Baby Jays", yes I am going to trademark it, are looking to keep momentum rolling in building a Dynasty. With the likes of Bo Bichette, Cavin Biggio and Vlad Jr, the Blue Jays are starting to look like a power house in the making. And finally, the forgot child in the East, the Baltimore Orioles. The O's look to have more of the same this season, only winning 54 games last year. They do have a young catcher prospect in Adley Rutschman, who recorded his first hit in spring training that led to a tie with the Twins. Wasn't a win, but it wasn't a loss either. Also Chris Davis for the O's, is hot with the bat this spring so maybe the days of the 54 at-bat hitless streak toi start the season is behind him. A look at the AL East is next. Enjoy!