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Two AL West Opponents For The Astros to Fear And One That Is a Fraud
The AL West has clearly been the Astros division for a couple of years now, winning the division 5 times in the last 6 years. MLB teams are only getting better by adding star players to potentially make a run for the World Series. The real question is, which teams will actually make that playoff run this season? On paper, the AL West isn't so bad besides the Oakland Athletics, so here are my two contenders in the division and one fraud in the AL West.
AL West contender: Seattle Mariners
The Mariners made the playoffs last season for the first time since 2001, finishing with a 90-72 record, then losing to the Astros in AL Divisional Series. Houston ended up sweeping the Mariners that series, but it was much closer than what it seems.
This offseason, Seattle ended up adding OF Teoscar Hernandez to the team. He is a great bat and a good defender. Then they added 2B Kolten Wong from the Brewers, who is also a solid bat to have in the lineup. To top it off with additions made this offseason, Seattle then signed OF A.J Pollock and DH Tommy La Stella. They addressed starting pitching during the trade deadline last season after acquiring Luis Castillo from the Cincinnati Reds.
Projected Mariners Starting Rotation:
- Luis Castillo / Logan Gilbert / Robbie Ray / Marco Gonzales / George Kirby
Projected Opening Day Mariners Starting Lineup:
2B Kolten Wong / CF Julio Rodriguez / 1B Ty France / RF Teoscar Hernandez / 3B Eugenio Suarez / C Cal Raleigh / LF Jarred Kelenic / DH AJ Pollock / SS J.P. Crawford
On paper, this looks like a great lineup, making me believe that the Mariners will be contenders and easily make the playoffs.
AL West Contender: Los Angeles Angels
The Angels have the two best players in all of baseball and haven't made the playoffs since 2014, when they lost in the AL Divisional Series. It has been a tough few of seasons for Anaheim, but they did make some nice offseason moves.
The Angels added SP Tyler Anderson. Anderson had a fantastic season with the Dodgers last season, finishing with a 2.57 ERA and 1.002 WHIP. Then they focused on hitting, acquiring 3B Gio Urshela and OF Hunter Renfroe via trade and signing Brandon Drury, who can play the entire infield. If the team can stay healthy then I don't see why the Angels wouldn't be fighting for the last wild card spot this season.
Projected Angels Starting Rotation:
Shohei Ohtani / Patrick Sandoval / Tyler Anderson / Reid Detmers / Jose Suarez
Projected Opening Day Angels Starting Lineup
LF Taylor Ward / CF Mike Trout / DH Shohei Ohtani / 3B Anthony Rendon / RF Hunter Renfroe / 2B Brandon Drury / 1B Jake Lamb / SS Gio Urshela / C Logan O'Hoppe
AL West Fraud: Texas Rangers
The Rangers have been spending these last two offseasons, adding Marcus Semien and Corey Seager to the team last year. Now this offseason, they signed SP Jacob deGrom to a huge contract.
Not only that, but they acquired SP Jake Odorizzi via trade, and signed SP's Andrew Heaney and Nathan Eovaldi. The pitching depth is there for Texas, but the big concern is if the talent will be there for this season. The Rangers havent made the playoffs since 2016, losing in the AL Divisional Series. Not only that but they haven't finished above .500 since 2016 as well.
Projected Rangers Starting Rotation
Jacob deGrom / Nathan Eovaldi / Martin Perez / Jon Gray / Andrew Heaney
Projected Opening Day Rangers Starting Lineup
2B Marcus Semien / SS Corey Seager / 1B Nathaniel Lowe / RF Adolis Garcia / 3B Josh Jung / C Jonah Heim / LF Robbie Grossman / DH Brad Miller / CF Bubba Thompson