AL East Predictions, Odds and Expert Picks for the 2022 MLB Season on FanDuel Sportsbook

Spring Training is coming to an end and the 2022 MLB season is rapidly approaching. There's been no shortage of drama and stoppages this offseason, and baseball fans can breathe a sigh of relief now that we only have games to focus on.

The 2022 World Series race is wide open outside of the Los Angeles Dodgers (+470), but some early favorites stand out in the field, according to MLB odds from FanDuel Sportsbook. The Toronto Blue Jays (+950), Chicago White Sox (+1000), Houston Astros (+1000) and New York Mets (+1100) are all considered legitimate contenders. 

Before they worry about the World Series, though, teams need to focus on the regular season and take care of their division.

With that in mind, here is how industry experts see the American League East shaping up in 2022.

Picks to Win the American League East

Predictions from USA Today come from their panel of six experts, PECOTA projections come from Baseball Prospectus, and Clay Davenport (who co-founded Baseball Prospectus) projections come from his personal website. FanDuel Sportsbook win totals and odds to win the division are as of March 30, 2022.

USA Today: Toronto Blue Jays
PECOTA: New York Yankees
Clay Davenport: Toronto Blue Jays
FanDuel Sportsbook Favorite: Toronto Blue Jays (+170)

After a successful offseason adding two starting pitchers and All-Star third baseman Matt Chapman, the Toronto Blue Jays are a near-consensus pick to win the AL East in 2022.

Toronto Blue Jays Predictions 2021

USA Today: 92-70
PECOTA: 91-71
Clay Davenport: 97-65
FanDuel Sportsbook Win Total: 92.5
Odds to Win AL East: +170

Expect the top of this AL East race to be fierce and come down to the final days of September. The Blue Jays hover around 91 or 92 wins with most of their projections outside of Clay Davenport.

New York Yankees Predictions 2021

USA Today: 88-74
PECOTA: 99-63
Clay Davenport: 90-72
FanDuel Sportsbook Win Total: 91.5
Odds to Win the AL East: +250

It's a near consensus that the New York Yankees will give Toronto its biggest run for the division crown this season. PECOTA rankings show New York racing toward the century mark, however.

Tampa Bay Rays Predictions 2021

USA Today: 91-71
PECOTA: 85-77
Clay Davenport: 83-79
FanDuel Sportsbook Win Total: 89.5
Odds to Win AL East: +250

USA Today's projections like the Tampa Bay Rays most this season while the PECOTA and Clay Davenport think a win total in the mid-80s is more realistic.

Boston Red Sox Predictions 2021

USA Today: 87-75
PECOTA: 86-76
Clay Davenport: 88-74
FanDuel Sportsbook Win Total: 85.5
Odds to Win AL East: +500

The Boston Red Sox are also just a step below the Blue Jays and Yankees in the preseason projections. Clay Davenport's 88 wins is their highest total, but the consensus is for Boston to rally for at least 86 wins.

Baltimore Orioles Predictions 2021

USA Today: 59-103
PECOTA: 61-101
Clay Davenport: 66-96
FanDuel Sportsbook Win Total: 61.5
Odds to Win AL East: +20000

There's four teams competing for the AL East crown, and then the Baltimore Orioles in a somewhat everlasting rebuild. Baltimore isn't going to make a lot of noise in the AL East in 2022.

Adam Taylor McKillop is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Adam Taylor also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username atmckillop. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.