BetUS has the New York Yankees at 96½ wins for their 2021 total. The over and under are both listed at -115. Therefore, a $100 future would yield $86.96 in winnings.
The Yankees are projected to win the American League East in 2021. I agree with this belief, but I do not think the Yankees will win 97 games. I will be locking in the under for this future on BetUS Sportsbook.
Here are my reasons why the Yankees will win 96 games or less in 2021.
The Red Sox Have Improved
The Boston Red Sox are not good, but they are a much better team than 2020. This has been evident thus far in spring training.
In last season’s shortened slate, the Yankees went 9-1 against the Red Sox. This is not the usual trajectory of these matchups.
Nathan Eovaldi was not bad last year for the Red Sox. He went 4-2 with a 3.72 ERA in 2020 and will get the ball on Opening Day in 2021. Eduardo Rodriguez will rejoin the starting rotation after missing 2020 because of a heart issue caused by COVID-19.
Rodriguez has looked reputable in spring training after a season removed from the game. Chris Sale will also return for Boston at some point in 2020. Offensively, J.D. Martinez is determined to bounce back throughout 162 games.
In 2020, Martinez looked like he forgot how to hit a baseball. Martinez has one of the best bats in baseball when he is clicking.
The Red Sox will be improved, which will help them prosper over the Yankees in the series between the two squads.
Tampa Bay is Always Reputable
The Tampa Bay Rays got worse in the offseason following their World Series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Even though the Rays are picked to finish third in the American League East, Tampa Bay knows how to win.
The Rays are always reputable, considering their meager payroll. New York always seems to have issues with the Rays.
Tyler Glasnow and Chris Archer are solid starters. Additionally, seasoned veteran Rich Hill joined the squad. Hill can still get batters out at 41 years of age.
Tampa Bay owned New York in the 2020 season series. The Rays beat the Yankees in eight of their 10 games.
Will the Rays win 80% of the games between the teams? No, but the Yankees will not sweep Tampa Bay. It’s not easy to reach 97 wins, so every victory matters.
The Blue Jays are Back
The Blue Jays have shown that they are coming for New York. This season may not be the year that Toronto becomes the team to beat in the American League East. However, I expect them to finish second in the division.
The Blue Jays added George Springer to the top of their order in the offseason. Springer is a three-time All-Star and a two-time Silver Slugger.
He will join Bo Bichette, Teoscar Hernandez, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Cavan Biggio. This group has a very promising future, and they will give the Yankees trouble.
There will be a point in the season where the Blue Jays threaten the Yankees in the division. I do not think Toronto has enough pitching depth to overcome the Yankees, but do not count this team out of the race.
The Yankees and Blue Jays split last season. New York cannot afford to split the series with Toronto in 2021 to reach 97 wins with the improved Red Sox.
Injuries
The Yankees are bound to get hurt, which is the most significant factor for why they will not win 97 games. New York is known for not being able to stay healthy.
The Yankees are the clear division winners if they do not get hurt, but they are also a couple of injuries away from average, something to remember when doing your MLB futures betting.
