OC Register: 2019 American League East team previews

[AngelsWin.com]

Note: All rotations and lineups are projections.

NEW YORK YANKEES

2018 record: 100-62

2018 run differential: Plus-182

2018 AL rank in OPS: 2nd

2018 AL rank in WHIP: 5th

Manager: Aaron Boone

Rotation: Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka, James Paxton, J.A. Happ, Luis Cessa, Gio Gonzalez

Bullpen: Dellin Betances, Adam Ottavino, Zack Britton, Chad Green, Jonathan Holder, Tommy Kahnle, Stephen Tarpley, Jonathan Loaisiga

Closer: Aroldis Chapman

Lineup: 1B Greg Bird/Luke Voit, 2B Gleyber Torres/D.J. LeMahieu, SS Didi Gregorius/Troy Tulowitzki, 3B Miguel Andujar, C Gary Sanchez, DH Giancarlo Stanton, LF Brett Gardner, CF Aaron Hicks, RF Aaron Judge

Fun Fact: Chapman, 30, is two strikeouts away from 800 for his career, less than 22 innings away from 500.

X-Factor: Health. Severino, Betances and Gregorius won’t start the season.

Prediction: First. Major upgrades all around, including the world’s deepest bullpen.

BOSTON RED SOX

2018 record: 108-54

2018 run differential: Plus-231

2018 AL rank in OPS: 1st

2018 AL rank in WHIP: 7th

Manager: Alex Cora

Rotation: Chris Sale, David Price, Rick Porcello, Nathan Eovaldi, Eduardo Rodriguez

Bullpen: Brandon Workman, Heath Hembree, Bobby Poyner, Tyler Thornburg, Steven Wright, Brian Johnson

Closer: Matt Barnes/Ryan Brasier

Lineup: 1B Mitch Moreland/Steve Pearce, 2B Brock Holt, SS Xander Bogaerts, 3B Rafael Devers, C Sandy Leon/Christian Vazquez, DH J.D. Martinez, LF Andrew Benintendi, CF Jackie Bradley Jr., RF Mookie Betts

Fun Fact: The Red Sox played .621 baseball in May. It was their worst month.

X-Factor: Will they mix and match with their closer, or does it make a difference?

Prediction: Second. With the Red Sox and Yankees, there’s no disarmament in sight.

TAMPA BAY RAYS

2018 record: 90-72

2018 run differential: Plus-70

2018 AL rank in OPS: 6th

2018 AL rank in WHIP: 2nd

Manager: Kevin Cash

Rotation: Blake Snell, Charlie Morton, opener/bullpen, Tyler Glasnow, opener/bullpen

Bullpen: Ryan Yarbrough, Ryne Stanek, Jose DeLeon, Diego Castillo, Jake Faria, Yonny Chirinos, Adam Kolarek, Wilmer Font

Closer: Chaz Roe/Jose Alvarado

Lineup: 1B Yandy Diaz/Ji-Man Choi, 2B Joey Wendle/Daniel Robertson, SS Willy Adames, 3B Matt Duffy/Diaz, C Mike Zunino, DH Choi/Avisail Garcia, LF Tommy Pham, CF Kevin Kiermaier, RF Austin Meadows

Fun Fact: The Rays were 15-14 in games started by Stanek, the most frequent “opener,” who averaged 1.4 innings per start.

X-Factor: Pham played 39 games for the Rays and had a 1.071 OPS. A whole season of him could be spectacular.

Prediction: Third. A wild-card spot is eminently available.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

2018 record: 73-89

2018 run differential: Minus-123

2018 AL rank in OPS: 7th

2018 AL rank in WHIP: 12th

Manager: Charlie Montoyo

Rotation: Marcus Stroman, Aaron Sanchez, Matt Shoemaker, Clay Buchholz, Ryan Borucki, Clayton Richard

Bullpen: Tim Mayza, Joe Biagini, Ryan Tepera, Jacob Waguespack, David Paulino, Elvis Luciano, John Axford, Sam Gaviglio, Bud Norris

Closer: Ken Giles

Lineup: 1B Justin Smoak, 2B Lourdes Gurriel Jr., SS Freddy Galvis, 3B Brandon Drury, C Danny Jansen, DH Kendrys Morales, LF Teoscar Hernandez, CF Kevin Pillar, RF Randal Grichuk

Fun Fact: Morales, Jeff Mathis and Ervin Santana are the only active major leaguers left from the last Angels team to win a playoff series, 10 years ago.

X-Factor: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will escape service-time jail in April to paint murals on the SkyDome ceiling, win a Cup for the Maple Leafs and invent gluten-free poutine.

Prediction: Fourth. Constant roster churn has made the Jays anonymous and irrelevant.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

2018 record: 47-115

2018 run differential: Minus-270

2018 AL rank in OPS: 14th

2018 AL rank in WHIP: 15th

Manager: Brandon Hyde

Rotation: Dylan Bundy, Andrew Cashner, Alex Cobb, Michael Wright, David Hess, Yefry Ramirez

Bullpen: Nathan Karns, Pedro Araujo, Richard Bleier, Tanner Scott, Peter Fry, Miguel Castro, Jimmy Yacabonis

Closer: Mychal Givens

Lineup: 1B Chris Davis, 2B Jonathan Villar, SS Richie Martin, 3B Renato Nunez, C Chance Sisco, DH Mark Trumbo, LF Trey Mancini, CF Cedric Mullins, RF Joey Rickard

Fun Fact: All Baltimore pitchers who made at least 19 starts gave up more than a hit per inning.

X-Factor: Outfielder Austin Hays, a prospect who was sent down before Opening Day. At least he’s innocent until proven guilty.

Prediction: Fifth. It’s almost a disgrace to put a Frank Robinson patch on the uniforms of these losers.

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