Few things are constant in life – death, taxes, and AL East being the most competitive division in baseball. The New York Yankees used to have a stranglehold over this until others stepped up their game. Ever since then, it has been an arms race between the franchises. Now another story has begun after last season’s surprising turn of events led to the Baltimore Orioles topping the division. The Yankees’ recent catch-up situation has found a brand new challenge – but it’s the one that their manager Aaron Boone is seemingly enjoying.

The past few years have seen the Bronx Bombers constantly play catch-up. First, they were trying to match the sudden rise of the Houston Astros in the American League. Now they’re trying to outrace the O’s in their path to glory. This season, both the O’s and Pinstripes have strengthened their squad and given birth to a massive rivalry. Aaron Boone understands the stakes and is “looking forward” to the competition.

The New York Post reported the Yankees skipper’s comments on the Orioles. On Saturday Aaron Boone said, “I think they’ll be really good again. Looking forward to that challenge. Obviously, they’ve come fully out of their rebuild and established a really good young core of players. It’s the American League East. You always look forward to going up against the best, but certainly they are formidable.” Notably, this comment came before the Spring Training game between the two teams and it was not a close competition.

The Bronx Bombers lost 7-3 to the Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium. Despite a great effort by Marcus Stroman, the O’s were just that much of a better team. This result echoes last season’s head-to-head record. The Yankees went 6-7 with the O’s. More importantly, they were 22-30 within the division. Clearly, Aaron Boone has a lot to think about here. 

However, the rivalry is only going to get more intense. The Bronx Bombers and Orioles are the two AL East teams that have strengthened the most this offseason.

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How the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles are going toe to toe 

Until January, the Yankees looked like the undisputed winners of the offseason. They had acquired Juan Soto, strengthened their outfield, and then signed Marcus Stroman. The team was at touching distance from the Orioles. Then, the O’s traded for Corbin Burnes, and suddenly they were back on top. The young core Gunnar Henderson, and Kyle Bradish plus their terrific farm have put them in the driver’s seat again.

So unsurprisingly, both teams have started their Spring Training in a relatively good form. The O’s are currently on top of the Grapefruit League with an 8-1 record. The Yankees are 4th with a 4-3 record. But this is just Spring Training – one wonders how close the two will be during the regular season. AL East is certainly looking even more delicious this year.

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