The American League East has had three different division champions over the past three seasons.
Last year, the Baltimore Orioles edged out the Tampa Bay Rays by two games to claim their first division title since 2014. However, both teams met the same fate in the postseason, getting swept by the eventual World Series champion Texas Rangers.
As we get set for the 2024 MLB season, let’s take a look at the latest AL East odds and pick out a division winner best bet.
AL East Winner Odds 2024
MLB odds used for these AL East best bets are from Tuesday, March 5, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
- New York Yankees (+165)
- Baltimore Orioles (+205)
- Toronto Blue Jays (+400)
- Tampa Bay Rays (+600)
- Boston Red Sox (+1600)
AL East Winner Best Bet
New York Yankees (+165)
After missing the postseason for the first time since 2016, it’s no surprise that the Yankees had a busy offseason.
Trading for superstar slugger Juan Soto was the highlight, but New York also bolstered its lineup by acquiring Alex Verdugo from the Red Sox and adding veteran right-hander Marcus Stroman to its rotation.
- See where the Yankees rank in the latest American League Pennant odds.
Ace Gerritt Cole is coming off a Cy Young campaign, and he should have more help around him this year if Carlos Rodon and Nestor Cortes can stay healthy.
New York’s offense will also hope for better luck health-wise after Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Anthony Rizzo featured in 106 games or fewer last season. Given the talent on their roster, it’s no surprise that the Bronx Bombers are slight favorites over the Orioles.
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AL East Winner Sleeper Pick
Tampa Bay Rays (+600)
If I’ve learned anything over the years, it’s that underestimating the low-budget Rays is a bad idea.
Tampa Bay has proven the ability to retool and maximize the talent on its roster time and time again. Plus, this team won 99 games last season, its third 95-plus-win season in the last five years.
The biggest concern here is the starting rotation, which is hampered by long-term injuries to Drew Rasmussen, Jeffrey Springs, and Shane McClanahan. However, at the fourth-lowest odds to win the division, the Rays are worth a small investment.
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Past AL East Winners
2023: Baltimore Orioles
2022: New York Yankees
2021: Tampa Bay Rays
2020: Tampa Bay Rays
2019: New York Yankees
2018: Boston Red Sox
2017: Boston Red Sox
2016: Boston Red Sox
2015: Toronto Blue Jays
2014: Baltimore Orioles