As the 2023 Major League Baseball season gets underway, the MLB Power Rankings indicate that the best division in baseball is the East. This divisional supremacy can be attributed to the dominant performances of its teams in recent memory, making any prediction of an Eastern playoff matchup a thrilling prospect.
Leading the charge in the East is the New York Yankees. Despite a disappointing end to the 2022 season, the Yankees have a history of playoff success and a star-studded lineup that includes Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Gerrit Cole. Their pitching rotation is arguably the best in the league with the addition of Max Scherzer, who signed with the team during the offseason.
The Boston Red Sox are another powerhouse in the East, having won the World Series in 2018. Boston has a deep and talented roster, including reigning American League MVP Xander Bogaerts and veteran starting pitcher Chris Sale. Heading into the 2023 season, the Red Sox are poised to make another deep postseason run.
The Tampa Bay Rays have made a name for themselves in recent years by constantly winning despite a low payroll. In 2021, they shattered franchise records with 100 wins and a trip to the World Series. Tampa Bay’s unique approach to roster management has proven to be effective, and they will look to continue their success in 2023.
The Toronto Blue Jays round out the East, boasting one of the most exciting young lineups in baseball. Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Alejandro Kirk provide an electric combination of power and speed, and the Jays have added veteran pitchers Kevin Gausman and Noah Syndergaard to bolster their rotation.
The East’s dominance in the MLB Power Rankings is evident. The Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, and Blue Jays all rank in the top half of the league, with the Yankees and Red Sox both in the top five. This level of consistency across multiple teams in one division is impressive and makes the East a formidable force in the league.
Of course, every season brings its share of surprises, and it remains to be seen how the teams in the East will perform in 2023. However, the momentum is clearly on their side, and they look poised to continue dominating the league for years to come. Time will tell if they can maintain their reign as the best division in baseball, but for now, the East stands tall as the division to beat.
