AL EAST projected standings 2011

Projected standings:
1. Boston Red Sox 96-66 Division Champ- I do not base this on Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez. I think they will help the team, but the Red Sox have more key players that will make a difference. Last year the two biggest underachievers were John Lackey and Josh Beckett. Lackey has lost wait, and looks committed to having a good year. If healthy, Beckett could solidify the staff with a Cy Young-caliber performance. They also improved their bullpen this offseason.

2. New York Yankees 93-69 Wild Card Winner- This is essentially the same team as last year. The Yankees are just missing Andy Pettitte. Derek Jeter is probably going to have a bounce back year. If CC Sabathia can have another good season, Phil Hughes can improve, and AJ Burnett can bounce back then the Yankees have a powerful pitching staff. The key is Burnett. Will the Yankees get the Burnett of 2009 or 2010? I think 2009.

3. Tampa Bay Rays 89-73- They lost Carl Crawford and Matt Garza. I think this projection is going to definitely be right or definitely be wrong. I don't think the Rays are going to win more than 89 games, but they have the young talent to win 98 games. I think this is the year they take the step backwards.

4. Toronto Blue Jays 82-80- Did you know the Blue Jays were 85-77 last year? They have shown they can compete with the big three ^ of the AL East. I am projecting a few less wins this year because of the loss of Shaun Marcum to the Milwaukee Brewers. I also don't think Jose Bautista can come close to his great success from last year.

5. Baltimore Orioles 79-83- Buck Showalter provided much needed energy to the Orioles last year. Under Showalter, the Orioles went 34-23. Their team has some nice young talent, but the Orioles made some nice free agent moves. They traded for Mark Reynolds, 3B, and J.J. Hardy, SS. They also signed Derek Lee, 1B, Vladimir Guerrero, DH, Kevin Gregg, RP, and Justin Duchscherer, RHP.