Yankees Still Favored to Win AL East Despite Mounting Injuries

• The Tampa Bay Rays (14-8) currently lead the AL East
• The Boston Red Sox won the division and the World Series in 2018
• Boston SP Nathan Eovaldi is only expected to miss 4-6 weeks after elbow surgery
  

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Fade the Yankees and fade them in a big, big way.

Despite a rash of injuries that leaves them one or two players away from calling me to man an outfield position, they are still favored to win the American League East as you can see in the latest AL East odds.

2019 American League East Odds

*Odds taken 04/22/19

You can tell how much sportsbooks respect the favorites here by the fact that even the Yankees are getting plus money. They have a great roster but with so many key pieces hurt I can’t justify picking them at any price.

West coast road trip starts tonight.

Powered by @Biofreeze pic.twitter.com/VJGs9WjyTt

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 22, 2019

That’s the most recent roster the Bronx Bombers fielded and it does not look like a division winner. Sure, players will get healthy and return, but I still think it’s time to turn the page on the Yankees as contenders this season and instead bet on the best value play in baseball, the Boston Red Sox.

Red Sox Have Rebounded from Slow Start

Thankfully for Boston, baseball is played over a 162-game schedule. They were ugly out of the gate but after sweeping the division-leading Tampa Bay Rays they are now only five games out of first in the AL East. There is way too much time left on the schedule to count out the defending World Series champions with that little ground to cover.

Boston won 108 games last season and haven’t lost much on the roster outside of closer Craig Kimbrel. Expect them to right the ship as we move forward and establish themselves as the team to beat once again by mid-summer.

Let's talk about Price's 10 Ks in yesterday's outing. #CarryTheFreight pic.twitter.com/zeKzZVP2Se

— Red Sox (@RedSox) April 22, 2019

Mookie Betts and JD Martinez have been just okay so far, combining for only eight home runs and 19 RBI. Expect the two MVP candidates to get going and return the Red Sox to the top of the division.

Eovaldi Gets Good Injury News

Nathan Eovaldi was a star for the Red Sox in the playoffs and a big time keep when they signed him for four-years and $68 million in free agency. When he was placed on the IL last week, there were rumors he could be out long term. However, the prognosis is a 4-6 week stint out of the lineup after elbow surgery, which actually isn’t terrible news. He’ll rejoin a rotation that includes other big names in Chris Sale and David Price long before the playoffs, which should give them a good shot at winning the division and avoiding an AL Wild Card game.

Nathan Eovaldi will indeed undergo a minor surgery, the Red Sox don’t expect him to miss 2 months like he did with the Rays last season. Early June is the goal.

— Boston Strong (@BostonStrong_34) April 22, 2019

+400 Makes Red Sox Great Value Play

The price here makes what would be a great bet one that is too good to pass up. It’s an awesome roster that wasn’t played out of contention early thanks to injuries to the Yankees and a recent sweep of the Rays.

Consider the slow start a blessing and enjoy the crazy odds on a team that is destined to contend again.

The fact they are this close despite a 9-13 start goes to show they can’t be counted out. Consider the slow start a blessing and enjoy the crazy odds on a team that is destined to contend again in 2019.

Pick: Boston Red Sox (+400)