MLB News: Yankees, Rays Favored Over Red Sox In AL East After Boston’s Early Struggles, NYY Injures

It’s certainly too early to count the Boston Red Sox (14-17) out after a slow start to the 2019 MLB season, but the defending champs have dug themselves a hole that won't be easy to climb out of. Last year's World Series winners sit in fourth place in the AL East over a month into the season.

The New York Yankees (17-13) are the betting favorites to win the division. They are two games behind the Tampa Bay Rays (19-11), who sit atop the AL East with one of the best records in baseball.

New York and Tampa Bay nearly have the same AL East odds. Boston is a distant third at 4/1, per OddsShark. The Toronto Blue Jays (14-16) and Baltimore Orioles (11-21) aren’t considered to be legitimate threats in the division.

Even though the Yankees won 100 games in 2018, the Red Sox won the division comfortably with a 108-54 record. The Rays didn't come close to finishing in first place with 90 regular-season wins.

Tampa Bay has arguably been the AL’s biggest surprise, thus far. With few big names on the roster, the Rays are on pace to win 103 games. They've done so with a league-leading 3.14 ERA, though the pitching staff has come back to earth in recent weeks, resulting in seven losses in 12 games.

Before the Yankees were swept on the road by the Arizona Diamondbacks (18-13) in a short two-game series, they were the hottest team in baseball with 11 wins in 13 games. New York has stayed above .500, despite suffering more injuries than any MLB team. With players like Giancarlo Stanton, Miguel Andujar and Aaron Hicks set to return soon, the Yankees could get on a roll shortly.

Boston has remained relatively healthy. Their pitching simply hasn’t performed up to expectations.

Chris Sale has been a disaster, still searching for his first win with a 6.30 ERA. Nathan Eovaldi posted a 6.00 ERA before heading to the injured list. David Price is Boston's only regular starter with an ERA below 5.50.

The Red Sox might slowly be turning things around. They are coming off a three-game sweep over the Oakland Athletics (14-19) to give themselves eight wins in their last 12 games.