The AL West promised one of the tightest races at the beginning of the season. All of the teams had the ability to compete. The question was could they compete? Well midway through the season, if you ignore the Rangers and Astros, the other teams are looking like they could make the playoffs.
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Oakland Athletics (59-36)- The A's find themselves with the best record in baseball. This is after they lost A.J. Griffin and Jarrod Parker for the season. The A's rotation has really been a strong suit this season. I thought that would be a problem, but they have really proved that theory wrong. Scott Kazmir has been ridiculously good this season, with Sonny Gray not too far behind. Tommy Milone, Jesse Chavez, and Brad Mills also gave pretty darn good contributions. And then Oakland went out and got Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel, two of the best pitchers in the NL, two bolster their pitching staff even more. Their offense has also been sensational. They are getting contributions from everyone. Stephen Vogt, John Jaso, and Derek Norris have been a fantastic catching trio. Yoenis Cespedes and Josh Donaldson have been crushing the ball. The only big problem with the offense is the lack of a high average. If they get their average up, this team will be that much better. As of now, they look like the World Series favorites.
Final Record Prediction: 102-60, 1st in the AL West
Final Record Prediction: 102-60, 1st in the AL West
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Los Angeles Angels (57-37)- The Angels have really put together the year people were expecting 2 years ago. They finally have a good pitching staff, and Josh Hamilton and Albert Pujols are looking closer to their old selves. Also having Mike Trout helps. Trout is on the way to having his best year yet. The emergence of Garrett Richards has given this team an co-ace. Wilson is respectable. Jered Weaver is having another solid season. The back end of the rotation needs some help if the Angels want to overtake the Athletics. They could probably add another power bat in the outfield, too. Still, if they don't move at the deadline, they can still make the playoffs.
Final Record Prediction: 96-66, 2nd in the AL West, Wild Card #1
Final Record Prediction: 96-66, 2nd in the AL West, Wild Card #1
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Seattle Mariners (51-44)- The Mariners are doing better then anyone could've expected. This is even though Taijuan Walker missed a lot more starts then expected. King Felix is in the midst of another Cy Young season, Iwakuma is tearing it up, Chris Young is having a very good year, and Taijuan Walker has pitched well in his few starts. The Mariners are also getting an All-Star year from Kyle Seager. It is really a surprise they are in playoff talks when you consider the fact that Zunino, Smoak (who lost his spot, but got recalled recently), Hart and Morrison (off-season acquisitions), and Dustin Ackley are barely respectable on offense. Robinson Cano's power disappeared and he isn't playing like a $240 million player. Still this team's pitching is giving the offense just enough to wiggle room to win the team a couple games. They probably won't make the playoffs this year, but if they add a bat at the deadline, they could sneak in. And with rumors of them going for Marlon Byrd, it looks like that may happen.
Final Record Prediction: (89-73), 3rd in the AL West
Final Record Prediction: (89-73), 3rd in the AL West
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Houston Astros (40-56)- Who would've guessed that Houston wouldn't be in last place? The Astros rotation isn't good, but it is respectable. There aren't any stars currently. Keuchel is their best guy, and he is looking like a future ace. A guy quietly having a solid season is Collin McHugh, who isn't getting much run support, but is looking like a good fit in the rotation. Cosart hasn't had the same luck he did last year. Oberholtz, Peacock, and Feldman haven't been impressive. Oberholtz may have a better second half, because his stats don't match his results. The fruits of Houston's labor are starting to appear. George Springer has been insane this year. After a slow start he has really rocketed. Sure he strikes out way too much (his rate is ridiculous and needs to come down, but he is a young, power hitter), but this dude hits bombs. Jon Singleton has huge power, too, but he isn't making nearly enough contact with the ball. Jose Altuve is, again, having an All-Star season. This team really needs to hit for more contact right now, though. If they can make more contact, then they could finish with a .500 or better record this year. But on the bright side, they won't lose 100 games this year.
Final Record Prediction: 70-92, 4th in the AL West
Final Record Prediction: 70-92, 4th in the AL West
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Texas Rangers (38-57)- You just gotta feel bad for the Rangers. They were poised to make a run at the West at the beginning of the season. Injuries have just decimated this team. There is absolutely no hope of a comeback this year, and there has been chatter of the team selling. That may be the best route. Even when healthy, this team badly needed pitching. Yu Darvish has been the only solid piece this year. Colby Lewis can't keep starting. Nor can anyone else they have tried. Texas has given just about every starter in the organization multiple shots at winning a rotation spot and no one besides Darvish has an ERA below 4.15. The rotation, or whatever they are using now, is a monster. It is scary to look at, and not for the good reasons. These guys are serving up batting practice every time they take the mound. At least on offense Beltre and Rios are having solid seasons. Just about everyone else is average or worse. Choo has been a flunk of a signing. Prince Fielder is gone for the year. This is just a purely awful team. Even with a healthy team, I am not sure Texas would have been a force this year. This year is a lose, and if they sell, the next few years may follow suit. Best case scenario: They sell the pieces they have for some blue-chip prospects. Start a mini-rebuild. Or get some starters. This team needs some pieces to contend next year, but not a lot.
Final Record Prediction: 63-99, Last in the AL West
Final Record Prediction: 63-99, Last in the AL West
This division had a whole different look at the beginning of the year. The Astros' young guns are leading them to their first season without 100 loses in awhile. Meanwhile Texas sinks due to an injury ravaged team. The Angels are finally playing somewhat close to what everyone expected of them. The A's have really stepped up their game. Heck even the Mariners are getting in on the fun. This will be a fun division to watch the rest of the year, especially with 3 teams competing for a spot in the playoffs.