This is the first year I have done this in awhile. The Yankees haven’t been favored for anything but mediocrity at the outset since 2013 when they came crashing down and missed the playoffs. After winning the WC and taking the Astros to the brink in the ALCS, they are poised to be true World Series contenders in 2018. With the addition of Stanton (and Drury) and the retention of CC and Tanaka plus full seasons from Kahnle, Gray and KRob, NYY looks ready for bear in a stacked AL.
The sox won the AL East two years in a row and addressed their biggest needs by bringing back Nunez and bringing in Martinez. They enter 2017 with some health questions with Pedroia and ERod already on the shelf and Price coming back from a year in his elbow after being relegated to relief duty by seasons’ end. If fully healthy, the sox have the squad to win it all as well.
Projected opening day lineups
NYY
1. Gardner LF
2. Judge RF
3. Stanton DH
4. Bird 1B
5. Sánchez C
6. Gregorius SS
7. Hicks CF
8. Drury 3B
9. Wade/Torres 2B
Boston
1. Benintendi LF
2. Betts RF
3. Martinez DH
4. Ramirez/Moreland 1B
5. Devers 3B
6. Bogaerts SS
7. Nunez 2B
8. Bradley Jr. CF
9. Vasquez C