An AL East prediction

Once again, I will go on record with my prediction for the order of finish for the American League East this year:

Orioles 93-69
Toronto 86-76
Boston 83-79
New York 78-84
Tampa Bay 72-90

I think the Orioles are the most well-rounded and best of the bunch. They have an excellent defense, enough offense that will again feature plenty of homers, and solid but underrated pitching. The rotation should be good again, despite what FIP stats project. The Orioles should win 90 or more again, despite what Pecota projects.

I do think the O's clubhouse has a sense of urgency with so many free agents after the season. This is the last call for this group. Will they go out as a winner?

Here's a surprising stat I didn't realize until I looked it up: If the O's do repeat as AL East champs, it will be their first back-to-back division championships since 1973-74.

I see Toronto as a real threat this year. I like their young arms like Daniel Norris, as well as the additions of Josh Donaldson and Russell Martin. Boston is sure the trendy pick to win the East and many think the Red Sox have another worst-to-first run in them. New York has age issues, but its rotation did look good during the spring. Tampa Bay is rebuilding a bit, but the Rays still have some good starters even though a few will open the year on the disabled list.

Here is what I predicted before the start of last year:

Tampa Bay 94-68
Orioles 91-71
Boston 88-74
New York 82-80
Toronto 78-84

I missed Tampa Bay and Boston by 17 wins, the Orioles and Toronto by five wins and New York by two.

Click here to read last year's predictions blog and see how some of you fared as well.

Some other predictions on the Orioles and the AL East:

* The mid-Atlantic region might explode if this happens. Tyler Kepner of the New York Times predicts an Orioles-Nationals World Series. He does have the Nats winning though.

* In his AL East preview, ESPN Insider Dan Szymborski has the Orioles finishing second and projects the O's pitching cannot duplicate last year's success.

* Columnist Richard Justice of MLB.com likes the Orioles' chances to repeat in the AL East.

* Columnist Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun writes that the O's have an ace in the dugout.

* Buster Olney of ESPN.com ranks the Nationals No. 1 and the Orioles No. 6 in his power rankings (insider subscription required).

* The FanGraphs staff made its predictions with just seven of 38 picking the Orioles to win the AL East and 20 selecting Boston to finish first.

* Of five reporters on the CBSSports.com staff, two pick the Orioles to win the East and two pick Boston.

* Just one of six writers on the SI.com staff predicted the O's to repeat atop the AL East.

* Two of five writers at Yahoo! Sports like the Orioles to win the division.

* Barry Svrluga, the national baseball writer for The Washington Post sees the O's missing the postseason.

* The Baseball Prospectus staff consensus is a third-place finish for the Orioles. Of 44 staff members, just two picked the O's to finish first. The Red Sox got a whopping 34 votes and Toronto got five.

So leave your 2015 predictions here and we'll check back over the winter and see how we did. Predict the AL East and more, post your playoff teams or any thoughts on how some individual players will fare.