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AL West Preview


Houston Astros

Projected Record: 93-69

Houston is coming off a disappointing season in 2016. After coming in with high expectations following a 2015 playoff appearance, the pitching staff that dazzled in the postseason struggled last year. The 2015 Cy Young Award winner, Dallas Keuchel, went 9-12 with a 4.55 ERA and only one starter had an ERA under 4.00. The offense did not disappoint however with many bright young stars in the lineup lead by Jose Altuve. Altuve had an MVP caliber year and I respect the hell out of him, being a fellow short guy and all. With the youth of Carlos Correa, George Springer and Alex Bregman this team is going to be a problem to opposing pitchers. If the pitching rotation can return to 2015 form, then this team will be in great shape and win the divison. With the added power of Carlos Beltran and Josh Reddick to an already dangerous lineup, this offense can be explosive. The Astros will be the class of this division and make another postseason appearance. The inner gambler in me says to bet them +130 to win the division and over 90.5 wins on the year.

Seattle Mariners

Projected Record: 87-75

The Mariners are coming off an improved season where they were 10 games better than the 2015 team. The pitching staff is led once again by “King” Felix Hernandez (11-8 3.82 ERA) who missed some time last year due to injury but showed signs of dominance after returning. The Mariners have a trio of Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz, and Kyle Seager that are as good as any in baseball. If the starters of Hernandez, Hisashi Iwakuma, James Paxton and Drew Smyly reach their potential, they have a decent front four. The Mariners won’t challenge the Astros for the division but should be squarely in the mix for a wild card spot.

Texas Rangers

Projected Record: 80-82

The reigning AL West champions come in with lofty expectations to defend their crown. Led by Yu Darvish and Cole Hamels, the Rangers probably have the best top of the rotation of anybody in the AL West. The Rangers did add Mike Napoli, but the loss of Mitch Moreland, Ian Desmond and Beltran far out-weigh the Napoli addition. The Rangers were 36-11 in one run games last year (I was sitting on an Astros +700 division future) and there is sure to be regression to that number. Although Texas led the AL in wins last year, the “luck” factor and key losses will cause them to struggle throughout the year.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Projected Record: 79-83

The Angels are the team on paper that looks like they should contend every year in this division. Partially because when you have a stud like Mike Trout, the expectations stay high. The offense shouldn’t be an issue this year with MVP caliber Trout, “Prince” Albert Pujols, Kole Calhoun and others. This is a lineup that is going to put runs on the board, but the pitching is where this team will run into issues. This will be the first year without Jared Weaver running the show. The Angels had 15 different pitchers start for them last year and expect more of the same form them this year. This team could have a fun offense to watch but the pitching won’t land them any higher than middle of the pack in this division.

Oakland Athletics

Projected Record: 74-88

2014 Seems so far away, yet that was the A’s last playoff appearance. They have made moves in free agency this off-season; however there won’t be much change in the win category. The A’s got unexpected power numbers from Marcus Semien and Khris Davis last year, but that won’t help a defense who was ranked in the bottom of the league. Sonny Gray had a down year after finishing in the top 3 in Cy Young voting the previous season. They had some bright moments from young starters Kendall Graveman and Sean Manaea. A team that finished last season with 69 wins doesn’t have to improve much to surpass that total, but if Gray can return to form and Manaea stays hot, then this team will improve their win total just not their place in the standings.

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