The AL East has been MLB’s best division roughly 30% of the way into the 2021 season. The Tampa Bay Rays (30-20), Boston Red Sox (29-20) and New York Yankees (28-20) are only separated by a single game, though one team is considered the clear favorite to finish in first place.

The Yankees are still viewed as the best team in the division with -140 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook to win the AL East title. There’s a sizable gap between New York and Tampa Bay, who is second with +400 odds. Boston ranks third with+430 odds to become the AL East champions.

New York entered the season as the favorite in the American League to reach the 2021 World Series. The team has rebounded from a slow start, going 22-8 over the last month. An AL-best 3.17 ERA has catapulted the Yankees toward the top of the standings.

All five of the Yankees' starting pitchers have given up zero runs in their last start. Gerrit Cole continues to look like the AL's best starter and Corey Kluber has thrown a no-hitter.

Boston has spent more time in first place than any AL East team. The Red Sox entered the season with low expectations, but a league-high .450 slugging percentage has kept Boston in the playoff race.

The Yankees and Red Sox still have not faced off in 2021.

An 11-game winning streak has Tampa Bay back atop the AL East with Memorial Day weekend just a few days away. The reigning division champions are tied with the Red Sox for the most runs scored in the AL. Tampa Bay’s 3.57 ERA is good for third in the league.

The Toronto Blue Jays (24-23) were threatening to compete for first place until they were swept in four games by Tampa Bay. The Blue Jays have an immediate chance to gain some ground in the division with a three-game set that started Tuesday at Yankee Stadium.

Toronto has +600 odds to win the AL East. The Blue Jays have a 4-2 record against the Yankees this season.

The Baltimore Orioles (17-31) might be headed for another 100-plus loss season. Baltimore is the only team given no chance to win the division with +30000 odds.

The AL East is the only division in baseball with four teams that are .500 or better.

Gerrit Cole Yankees
Gerrit Cole #45 of the New York Yankees in action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on September 16, 2020 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Blue Jays 13-2. Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
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