Baltimore Orioles: Ranking The American League East Lineups

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TORONTO, ONTARIO – SEPTEMBER 24: Trey Mancini #16 of the Baltimore Orioles hits an RBI single against the Toronto Blue Jays in the sixth inning during their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on September 24, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /

How does each lineup in the American League East stack up against each other? Where do the Baltimore Orioles rank?

The American League East is one of the more shaken up divisions from the 2019 season. In every line-up, there is at least one big bat that can greatly help their team in the upcoming season and a number of new faces. Some teams, like the Baltimore Orioles and the Toronto Blue Jays are in rebuild mode. However, some promising young stars are set to arrive in just a few days with spring training games around the corner.

As for the Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, it’s full steam ahead, looking to make a World Series push.

Let’s see where each team’s lineup ranks within this division.

(Lineups are projections. Italics = Players who are new to the team)

5) Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles head into the 2020 season with a similar lineup to last season. Key additions include Austin Hays, who showed at the end of last season that he is ready to break into the big leagues, as well as Jose Iglesias, a consistent contact hitter who has shown flashes of power. The top four batters, Hays, Iglesias, Alberto and Mancini, all have the ability to hover around a .300 average.

As for 5-9, I think there will be countless combinations with young players coming up from Triple-A Norfolk trying to earn their spot. If Chris Davis can find a way to put the ball in play, and the top half produces, I don’t see why the Orioles couldn’t have streaks of big run games.

Why are the Orioles at #5? I don’t see the Orioles lineup putting out so much as to compensate for the runs that the pitching will give up. There are some players with lots of potential, but the talent isn’t quite there yet.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 21: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on September 21, 2019 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Blue Jays 7-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

4) Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays have a real chance to have a turnaround season in 2020.

I don’t see the Jays making a playoff run, but I do see them making strides as their young core learns the major league game. Every starter on the Blue Jays is under 30 years old, meaning this group of guys is going to be around each other and learning every day to turn this organization around. Bichette, Biggio and Guerrero Jr. are going to be a problem for pitchers this season and for many years to come.

The addition of Travis Shaw gives the Jays another lefty bat and he also just came from a playoff team in the Brewers. Tellez hit for 20 home runs last season but will need his average to come up if he’s going to continue to be played in the top half of the lineup.

Why are the Blue Jays at #4? The Blue Jay’s lineup is very promising, but it’s not there yet. Expect to see a lot of long balls from everyone in their lineup. They have a lineup that has the power to hit to all fields at the Rogers Centre. I do think they need a year or two to be able to really compete against some of the top pitchers in the AL East. They’re going to have to get past names like Gerrit Cole, Chris Sale, and Blake Snell in order to have any contention in the division.

HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 04: Brandon Lowe #8 of the Tampa Bay Rays singles in the fifth inning against the Houston Astros in game one of the American League Division Series at Minute Maid Park on October 04, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

3) Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays are a team that I think will surprise people in 2020.

Yes, they were already a playoff team last year. This season, I think they are coming back with even more heat. The additions of Jose Martinez and Hunter Renfroe only bolster a lineup that was pretty solid in 2019. Brandon Lowe was an All-Star before an injury forced him to miss much of the second half of the season.

Another All-Star, Austin Meadows is proving every game that the Pirates messed up by trading him. He had a breakout season last year both in average (.291) and home runs (33). With one of the best pitching staffs in the league, the Rays will have no problem putting up enough runs to win 90+ games again.

Why are the Rays at #3? The Rays had success with the bats last year and they have only improved. Losing Tommy Pham hurts the team, but not as bad as you might think. The additions of Renfroe and Martinez gives the team two skilled options to choose from. With a fast, contact hitting team they will be able to play small ball and take advantage of opponents’ mistakes.

BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 29: Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox hits a double during the seventh inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles on September 29, 2019 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. It was his 200th hit of the season. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /

2) Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox look quite similar to last year with a few key shake-ups, including one really big subtraction.

The most obvious hole will be the departure of Mookie Betts, one of the best hitters in the league. Unfortunately for other AL East teams, this lineup is here to stay. Newly acquired Alex Verdugo will be amongst the leaders in extra-base hits. Another sneaky addition is Jose Peraza who came over in free agency after playing the last four seasons with the Reds. One through nine, there is a great mix of power, speed, and agility.

The key to the Red Sox success this season will be the ability to put up runs. Their pitching staff took a big hit with the departures of David Price and Jhoulys Chacin. This means with a down year for the pitching staff, there needs to be a burst of runs if they have a chance of making the playoffs.

Why are the Red Sox at #2? The Red Sox lineup is dangerous. I think the Sox will be underestimated in terms of their hitting, bringing back big bats such as Bogaerts, Devers, Martinez, and Moreland. Like the other teams of the AL East, the Sox are a relatively young team. I only see one team in the division with a better lineup… and it’s not even close.

HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 13: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees flies out to right field in the sixth inning during game two of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 13, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

1) New York Yankees

The Yankees have the best lineup in the AL East for the 2020 season.

As if we didn’t see enough of the Yankees promise last year, they are coming back stronger. The Yankees smashed the Orioles in 2019, in a season series to forget. With the guidance of Gleyber Torres, the Yankees broke the single-season record for most home runs against a single opponent (61). The Orioles shouldn’t feel too bad because the Bronx Bombers are going to be a challenge against any team.

From top to bottom, there are proven hitters. On any given night, anyone could step up. It could be DJ LeMahieu, who torched any baseball he saw last season, or Aaron Judge, who if can stay healthy, could have a 50 HR season. The Yankees also bring back their star backstop, Gary Sanchez. They also found a player in Gio Urshela, who will man third base and hit balls out of Yankee Stadium on a consistent basis.

More from Birds Watcher

The Yankees bring back Giancarlo Stanton from injury. If he can stay healthy, there will be no shortage of souvenirs in the Bronx. New York’s sneaky piece this season isn’t new to the team but missed nearly the entire 2019 season due to shoulder repair surgery. Miguel Andujar will try and replicate his 2018 season where he batted .297 with 27 home runs.

Why are the Yankees at #1? In the AL East, there is no comparison. The Yankees have the best line-up in the division. All the way down the lineup are players who can hit the ball out with a flick of the bat, not to mention, some of the best contact hitters in the league.

Next. Ranking AL East Rotations. dark

All I have to say is good luck to AL East pitchers who have to try and stop the Yanks in 19 different games this season.

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