2025 AL East Race Heating Up
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ 2025 season is over except for the Paul Skenes Cy Young chase. And while Skenes’ performance and individual awards may hold some interest, watching the Pirates offense fritter away quality starts isn’t much fun.
The trade deadline is coming, and that means the division races are finally heating up. And no other division is as captivating right now as the AL East.
According to the latest MLB odds from FanDuel Sportsbook, the Toronto Blue Jays are -130 favorites to win the AL East, with the New York Yankees priced at +125 and four games back.
Who’ll win the AL East, and which team is the best bet? Let’s take a look.
Hard to Not Take Yankees
Especially with plus money.
The Yankees have, head and shoulders, the best lineup in the division. Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge, and Paul Goldschmidt are a modern-day Murderer’s Row, while former NL MVP Cody Bellinger rotates between DH and LF.
The Yankees are third in MLB runs per game, scoring an average of 5.21. They’re also leading the league in HR per game, mashing an average of 1.58.
So, offense isn’t a problem for New York, but starting pitching is. With Gerrit Cole out for the season, the Yankees lack a streak-busting ace, and it’s showing. The Yankees’ team ERA is 3.86, and Max Fried is the only starter with a sub-three number.
With the deadline looming, oddsmakers have installed the Yankees as favorites not just because of their deadly lineup, but also because of their aggressive trade posture. Former NL Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara is on the market, and the Yankees always get their man.
Why Not the Tampa Bay Rays?
The Rays are scoring 4.64 runs per game and boast a team slugging percentage of 0.406%. And they have strong pitching. The Rays pitchers are holding opponents to 7.99 hits per game. They do give up the long ball too frequently, surrendering 1.33 dingers per game.
Their current record, 53-50, puts them seven and a half games back of the Blue Jays, with +2200 odds to win the AL East. The Rays are a good team, but their recent 3-7 skid has them sinking during the trade deadline rather than rising.
If the losing continues, the Rays may look to sell at the deadline.
Toronto Blue Jays Are the Bet to Win the 2025 AL East
The Blue Jays have a four-game edge in the division. They have the star power with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer. They’re on an eight-game winning streak, and Toronto is historically active at the trade deadline.
Three games isn’t a huge cushion, and the Yankees will always find a way to get the player they need. The Jays are playing great baseball, but they’re going to need some pitching. The Jays’ team ERA is 3.74, good for tenth.
Luis Severino, Merrill Kelly, and Zac Gallen are all rumored to be the Jays’ deadline targets. While they aren’t as sexy as Alcantara, they would help stabilize the Toronto rotation.
Buy now before the Blue Jays’ AL East division winner price gets steeper after the trade deadline.
More about: MLB Betting