Retired Boston Red Sox star David Ortiz picked the New York Yankees to win the AL East.  He points out their new lineup that he says nobody in the division can compete with.

Via Boston.com:

Although he is strongly encouraged by the addition of designated hitter J.D. Martinez — and the team’s back-to-back division titles — Ortiz believes the Yankees are the ones to beat in 2018.

“They pretty much stacked the lineup with more power,” he said. “I don’t think anyone else in the division can compete with that.”

The retired slugger insists it’s not necessarily a bad thing the Red Sox aren’t the favorites to win the AL East. New York’s new squad is up against some rather lofty expectations, as the tandem of Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge — who combined for 100-plus homers (on different teams) last season — is anticipated to form quite a formidable threat at the plate.

That attention puts Boston in a favorable position, according to Ortiz.

“I think the Red Sox are the one team that, as an underdog, is going to be out there exceeding expectations more than usual,” he said.

Big Papi does try to paint the Yankees lineup that nobody can compete with as a good thing for the Red Sox.

It must hurt if you’re a Red Sox fan to hear him pick your hated rivals to take the division.  Ortiz clearly knows a winner when he sees one.