MLB Bold Predictions 2013: American League East
By Drew Brown
Baltimore Orioles
Last season was not a fluke, and the Orioles will find themselves in the playoffs again behind AL MVP candidate Adam Jones.
Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox will be a disappointment again, but Felix Doubront will be the best starter in the rotation, and will post better numbers than Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, and Ryan Dempster.
New York Yankees
With the injuries of Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira, and the unpredictability of Alex Rodriguez, the Yankees will finish the season in the basement of the American League East for the first time since 1990.
Tampa Bay Rays
With Evan Longoria and David Price on the team, anything is possible, but the Rays will not be making the playoffs in 2013. Also, at some point in the season, Fernando Rodney will pitch with his hat on sideways.
Toronto Blue Jays
J.A. Happ, with the mentorship of Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, and R.A. Dickey, will turn back into the stud we watched years ago when he pitched with the Philadelphia Phillies. While some are predicting the Blue Jays to be reflective of the 2011 Boston Red Sox and 2012 Miami Marlins, for teams that didn’t live up to their hype, expect a playoff berth from one of the newest powerhouses in the MLB.