MLB 2021 Calendar: AL Biggest Rivalry Games Expert Analysis

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The Boston Red Sox are coming off a down year after moving superstar Mookie Betts prior to last season. The New York Yankees came up short in their bid to reach the 2020 World Series. Still, when the BoSox and Yanks meet in 2021, you can expect fireworks.

In other big-time rivalry games, Houston takes on sudden rival Tampa Bay. Minnesota and Chicago renew their all-out are after finishing 1-2 in the AL Central last season. Finally, the Yankees will look to take down AL East winning Tampa Bay in another series that has all the makings of a knock-down, drag-out war!

With all that being said, let’s take a closer look at the biggest rivalry games for the upcoming 2021 calendar so you can start getting ready to make your bets against their MLB odds.

Biggest AL Rivalry Games in the 2021 MLB Calendar

Yankees Vs Red Sox

One of the biggest rivalries in all of sports saw New York completely dominate by wining nine of the 10 meetings last season. New York finished second to Tampa Bay in the AL East (33-27) while Boston finished dead last (24-36) after foolishly parting ways with 2018 AL MVP Mookie Betts. Still, whenever these two meet it’s always a fun time. The Yankees host the BoSox in a three-game set from June 4-June 6.

Houston Vs Oakland

The Astros (29-31) and A’s (36-24) kick off the regular season on April 1. Oakland won the AL West last season by seven games over Houston, but the A’s got smacked around by the ‘Stros in the ALDS. Oakland won the series 3-1 with a to of trash talking going down between the two rivals. Oakland also won the regular season series 8-6 but the A’s will want revenge for their playoff ouster, starting on Opening night.

Minnesota Vs Chicago White Sox

The Twins (36-24) won the AL Central by a single game over the Chicago White Sox (35-25), but the longtime rivals split 10 regular season meetings evenly. The two will meet for the first time in 2021 on May 11. Minnesota finished the 2020 season ranked fourth in team ERA (3.58) and sixth in home runs hit (91). Chicago finished a stellar sixth in scoring (5.10 rpg) and identical sixth in team ERA (3.81).

Houston Vs Tampa Bay

Houston and Tampa Bay don’t have what’s called a ‘natural’ division rivalry, but these two teams don’t like each other at all after the Rays dispatched the Astros 4-3 in seven thrilling ALCS games. There was an absolute ton of trash being talked between the two and I fully expect those bad feelings to carry over into 2021. Tampa Bay hosts Houston in a three-game set from April 30-May 2 and the Astros will host the Rays in another three-game set from Sept. 28-30. Tampa Bay was 12th in scoring last season (4.82 rpg) and third in team ERA (3.56). Houston finished 14th in scoring (4.65 rpg) and 13th in team ERA (4.31).

Yankees Vs Tampa Bay Rays

Tampa Bay (40-20) stunned everyone including the Yankees (33-27) to win the AL East title last season. Not only that, but the Rays added insult to injury by dispatching New York 3-2 in the ALDS, before making it all the way to the 2020 World Series opposite the LA Dodgers. As previously mentioned, the Rays finished 12th in scoring last season (4.82 rpg) and third in team ERA (3.56). The Yankees finished fourth in scoring (5.25 rpg) but a modest 14th in team ERA (4.35). Tampa Bay won 11 of 15 meetings against New York last season and hosts their longtime division rivals in a three-game set from April 9-11. New York will host Tampa Bay in another three-game set from April 16-18.

I have read enough, I need to place my bet now. What to do?