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AL West Predictions: Can the Astros Hold off the Mariners?
1st Place - Houston Astros (98-64)
The American League has run through the Houston Astros and I expect it to stay like that for this season as well. Adding Jose Abreu was one of my favorite offseason moves by any team--a huge upgrade that helps the players around him as well.
Losing Justin Verlander stings but it's hard to see the Astros pitching struggle without him in the rotation. A big concern is the status of Lance McCullers Jr. He needs to stay healthy for this team as he's a very important rotation piece going forward, especially with the loss of JV. Houston's bullpen should remain dominant as always which was a huge reason they are World Champions. As for the bats, no one should be worried one bit. Kyle Tucker seeking a long-term extension might be electric.
2nd Place - Seattle Mariners (91-71)
The Seattle Mariners are a very fun team to watch no matter what you have to say. Watching a player like Julio Rodriguez is what makes the game of baseball so exciting. This team could make a run for the division with great offseason additions like Teoscar Hernandez, A.J. Pollock, and Kolten Wong.
The one thing keeping Seattle from making the AL West a race is the fact that they struggle to beat the Astros. The Mariners haven't won a season series against Houston since 2018, and even that they only won 10-9. For them to have a chance at this division, Seattle has to stay healthy, win games they're supposed to win, and dominate Houston.
3rd Place - Texas Rangers (80-82)
The Texas Rangers signed the best starting pitcher in baseball, when healthy of course. The Jacob DeGrom addition was quite surprising, but Texas is showing that they're here to win and make a push for a playoff spot.
Being in the AL West, I find it hard seeing them being a playoff team unless everyone can stay consistent and healthy. With the way the American League is now, there are plenty of teams that deserve a playoff spot more than the Rangers. 80 wins should be attainable for Texas, but anything more should be viewed as an accomplishment for the organization.
4th Place - Los Angeles Angels (76-86)
The Angels continue to be one of the most disappointing organizations in all of baseball. Having two of the top players in the league and only making the playoffs once since 2014 is quite laughable.
Superstar Shohei Ohtani is set to be a free agent next season and it's hard to see him staying with the Angels, especially with Mike Trout only getting older. They were able to add players like Hunter Renfroe, Brandon Drury, and Tyler Anderson, but that doesn't do much to this roster. The Angels finished 73-89 last season so my prediction is a small improvement, but not enough to end their playoff drought.
5th Place - Oakland Athletics (52-110)
The Athletics are one of the most pathetic franchises in baseball. In a four-year stretch, they've fallen from being contenders to being at the bottom of the barrel and not providing for the fanbase.
If you look at the depth chart, you'll question how this team would even manage to win 50 games but the additions of Jesus Aguilar, Trevor May, and Aledmys Diaz has them slightly over the 50-win mark. It is pretty evident that the three players I mentioned will probably be dealt at the trade deadline, making the roster even worse than it already is. Oakland finished 60-102 last season, it's hard to see them being any better than that, which is why I have them winning 52.