American League Manager of the Year Candidates

Now it is time to look at the people calling the shots.

Here are the top managerial candidates, led by Aaron Boone, who has the New York Yankees with the best odds to win the World Series according to the MLB odds.

Aaron Boone, New York Yankees

2022 record: 56-21

2021 record (as of June 30): 41-39

The Yankees not only have the best record in the majors but, according to the MLB odds, they have the best odds to win the World Series at +400.

The Yankees lead the majors with 384 runs scored and 127 home runs. Judge is leading the way with 29 home runs and 59 RBIs while Anthony Rizzo (21 home runs, 51 RBIs) and Giancarlo Stanton (19 home runs and 52 RBIs) also provide much of the power.

Rizzo Rocket 🚀#TeamRizzo pic.twitter.com/vuJjHa9GV2

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 1, 2022

The emergence of Nestor Cortes (6-3, 2.51 ERA) has been a key for the starting rotation. All five starters have ERAs at 3.35 or lower, another reason why those who bet online continue to believe in the Yankees.

Boone and his staff have had to deal with injuries in the bullpen with Chad Green out for the season and Aroldis Chapman missing more than a month. Clay Holmes has transitioned incredibly well into the closer’s role.

Rocco Baldelli, Minnesota Twins

2022 record: 43-36

2021 record (as of June 30): 33-46

There might not be a bigger surprise in the American League. The Twins were a distant second behind the Chicago White Sox coming into the season. The Twins are fighting it out with Cleveland for the division lead with Minnesota currently in front by one game.

Ten different Minnesota pitchers have started at least two games as injuries have wreaked havoc. Rookie Joe Ryan has played a key role in the Twins’ rise to the top of the standings. Devin Smeltzer is another surprise among the pitchers with a 4-1 record and 2.86 ERA.

Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa have missed a combined 41 games, forcing some other players to step up.

Luis Arraez made the jump from hitting .294 to .340 and leads the Twins with 85 hits.

The Twins started the season with +550 odds to win the division title and +6600 to win the World Series. The odds to win the AL Central have moved to +115 while the World Series odds are down to +2800 according to the sportsbook.

Brandon Hyde, Baltimore Orioles

2022 record: 35-42

2021 record (as of June 30): 27-54

Sure, Baltimore is seven games under .500 and that won’t help Hyde’s chances of winning the award. However, there has been a 10-game jump in the standings.

Austin Hays, Ryan Mountcastle and Anthony Santander lead the Orioles in home runs and RBIs as they built on solid 2021 seasons. They team with veteran Trey Mancini and Cedric Mullins as Baltimore is figuring out to win games despite ranking 20th in the majors in team ERA and 26th in team batting average.

Baltimore has 14 pitchers with at least one victory so it truly has been all hands on deck.

Jorge Lopez, Cionel Perez and Felix Bautista have been tremendous out of the bullpen. The starting rotation is a work in  progress.

Chris Woodward, Texas Rangers

2022 record: 36-38

2021 record (as of June 30): 32-49

After going 10-13 with the Boston Red Sox over the last two seasons, Martin Perez has emerged as an ace for the Rangers. He has a 6-2 record with a 2.22 earned run average. Brock Burke hasn’t been in the majors since 2019, when he was 0-2 with a 7.43 ERA. The Rangers’ patience has been rewarded as he is 4-1 with a 1.23 ERA out of the bullpen.

Nathaniel Lowe (10 homers, 32 RBIs) and Adolis Garcia (15 home runs, 49 RBIs) have provided some power with Garcia one of three Texas players with more than 10 stolen bases.

The Rangers are sitting in second place in the AL West. Making it into the postseason might be a bit of a reach but there has been progress.