In the coming weeks, we will all play the game of predictions. Not everyone, in fact: after all, some people have understood that no one wins at this game…
But OK. All that to say that there will be heartbreaking decisions to be made. Among these: the classification in the East of the American.
Several teams will aspire to do well in the division. Among them: the Blue Jays and the Yankees, who won the division last year and had a great off-season.
But is there a world where the Rays and Orioles play rascals and start winning crazy? Yes, that is a possibility.
The message here is that the priority for teams should be to win their respective division titles, to help each other avoid wild card matches. That’s worth gold.
And that’s why, in the West, Dusty Baker says the Astros aren’t worried about the Yankees yet: they want to get out of the West first.
It is therefore not out of disrespect or overconfidence (the Astros have the Yankees’ number in the playoffs, after all) that he makes his remarks, but rather because he has a high regard for the clubs of his own division.
In his eyes, it will be necessary to work hard to get ahead of the Mariners, Rangers and Angels, clubs that will be competitive this year. No, he didn’t name the A’s, of course.
It is then that he will attack the Yankees and other teams that will be in the way of the Astros, who are currently the defending champions.
Even though they lost Justin Verlander and Yuli Gurriel, the Astros made the right personnel moves this winter and they still have to be the favorites in the AL.
But despite everything, Dusty Baker keeps both feet on the ground and he knows not to take anyone lightly. This is a good thing.
Attention Astros, ladies and gentlemen.
