OC Register: 2021 AL East season preview

[AngelsWin.com]

Note: Rotations and bullpens are not Opening Day projections but pitchers expected to contribute in those roles early in the 2021 season.

NEW YORK YANKEES

2020 record: 33-27, second in East, lost to Rays in ALDS

2020 AL rank in runs scored: First

2020 AL rank in runs allowed: Sixth

Manager: Aaron Boone

Rotation: Gerrit Cole, Corey Kluber, Jameson Taillon, Jordan Montgomery, Domingo Germán

Bullpen: Chad Green, Darren O’Day, Justin Wilson, Luis Cessa, Jonathan Loáisiga, Nick Nelson, Lucas Luetge, Nick Goody

Closer: Aroldis Chapman

Lineup: 1B Luke Voit, 2B DJ LeMahieu, SS Gleyber Torres, 3B Gio Urshela, LF Clint Frazier, CF Aaron Hicks, RF Aaron Judge, C Gary Sanchez, DH Giancarlo Stanton

Fun Fact: The Yankees have had 28 consecutive winning seasons.

Fun Fact II: Opponents have hit under .200 against Cole in each of the past three years.

Prediction: First in East. Much depends on reliever Zack Britton, who returns from elbow surgery in midsummer.

TAMPA BAY RAYS

2020 record: 40-20, first in East, lost to Dodgers in World Series

2020 AL rank in runs scored: Sixth

2020 AL rank in runs allowed: Third

Manager: Kevin Cash

Rotation: Tyler Glasnow, Ryan Yarbrough, Chris Archer, Michael Wacha, Rich Hill

Bullpen: Ryan Thompson, Collin McHugh, Cody Reed, Chaz Roe, Josh Fleming, Trevor Richards, Jeffrey Springs, Hunter Strickland, Ryan Sherriff

Closer: Pete Fairbanks/Diego Castillo

Lineup: 1B Ji-Man Choi/Yandy Diaz, 2B Brandon Lowe, SS Willy Adames, 3B Yandy Diaz/Joey Wendle, LF Randy Arozarena, CF Kevin Kiermaier, RF Manuel Margot, C Mike Zunino, DH Austin Meadows

Fun Fact: Injured reliever Nick Anderson gave up five hits in 19 appearances and had a WHIP of 0.490 in 2020.

Fun Fact II: The Rays were 8-2 against the Yankees in 2020.

Prediction: Second in East. Even if they don’t value starting pitching, they’ll struggle to replace Blake Snell and Charlie Morton.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

2020 record: 32-28, third in East

2020 AL rank in runs scored: Third

2020 AL rank in runs allowed: 11th

Manager: Charlie Montoyo

Rotation: Hyun-Jin Ryu, Robbie Ray, Steven Matz, Tanner Roark, Nate Pearson/Ross Stripling

Bullpen: Tyler Chatwood, Ryan Borucki, Francisco Liriano, David Phelps,  A.J. Cole, Tim Mayza, Jordan Romano, Julian Merryweather

Closer: Rafael Dolis

Lineup: 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 2B Marcus Semien, SS Bo Bichette, 3B Cavan Biggio, LF Lourdes Gurriel Jr., CF George Springer, RF Teoscar Hernandez, C Danny Jansen, DH Rowdy Tellez

Fun Fact: In his three minor league seasons Pearson’s WHIP was 0.868.

Fun Fact II: The Blue Jays were 9-3 in Ryu’s starts.

Prediction: Third in East. If Yates gets healthy and reaches 2019 levels, maybe better.

BOSTON RED SOX

2020 record: 24-36, fifth in East

2020 AL rank in runs scored: Fifth

2020 AL rank in runs allowed: 15th

Manager: Alex Cora

Rotation: Eduardo Rodriguez, Nathan Eovaldi, Garrett Richards, Martín Pérez, Nick Pivetta

Bullpen: Adam Ottavino, Hirokazu Sawamura, Ryan Brasier, Matt Andriese, Darwinzon Hernández, Austin Brice, Josh Taylor, Colten Brewer, Phillips Valdez, Garrett Whitlock

Closer: Matt Barnes

Lineup: 1B Bobby Dalbec, 2B Kiké Hernandez, SS Xander Bogaerts, 3B Rafael Devers, LF Franchy Cordero/Marwin González, CF Alex Verdugo, RF Hunter Renfroe, C Christian Vázquez, DH J.D. Martinez

Fun Fact: Last year’s .400 win percentage was Boston’s worst since 1965.

Fun Fact II: Dalbec had eight home runs in 80 at-bats in 2020.

Prediction: Fourth. It didn’t take long to dismantle the 2018 juggernaut.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

2020 record: 25-35, fourth in East

2020 AL rank in runs scored: Eighth

2020 AL rank in runs allowed: Ninth

Manager: Brandon Hyde

Rotation: John Means, Keegan Akin, Dean Kremer, Jorge Lopez, Matt Harvey/Bruce Zimmermann

Bullpen: Dillon Tate, Cesar Valdez, Shawn Armstrong, Cole Sulser, Travis Lakins, Paul Fry, Mac Sceroler, Wade LeBlanc

Closer: Tanner Scott

Lineup: 1B Trey Mancini, 2B Yolmer Sanchez, SS Freddy Galvis, 3B Maikel Franco, LF Austin Hays, CF Cedric Mullins, RF Anthony Santander, C Pedro Severino, DH Ryan Mountcastle

Fun Fact: The Dodgers sent Kremer to Baltimore in the deal that brought Manny Machado in 2018.

Fun Fact II: Mancini missed 2020 as he recovered from colon cancer.

Prediction: Fifth in East. They’re lucky baseball doesn’t have relegation.

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