We start our preview of the anointed American League out west. It looks to be the easiest race to call. Long gone are the days when two American League teams came from here and back are the days of east coast dominance.

1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - Sure the name is stupid and a pain in the tookus to say, but they are the favorite by default here. The Disney-owned club has more wins than any other AL team outside of New York and Boston in the last 5 years. They've turned into a solid ballclub as their divisional rivals have begun rebuilding. The addition of Jon Garland is already proving to be huge with injuries to John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar, both likely out until mid-May. Finally, Torii Hunter joins the powerful outfield in Anaheim to try and add some more runs this year. (97-65)
   
   
2. Seattle Mariners - The M's surprised some folks in 2007 with 88 wins even though they scored fewer total runs on the season than they allowed. They had some major offseason additions in their rotation with Erik Bedard and Carlos Silva, while losing Jeff Weaver and Horacio Ramirez. That's two big upgrades. Also, the solid Jose Vidro comes to town to bat DH, where he may be able to stay healthy. I don't see 88 wins coming out of Seattle this year, but they'll be close. (84-78)
   
   
3. Oakland Athletics - The tightest race in this division will be the battle for the cellar. The A's have been going in the wrong direction for the last year and a half and may hit rock bottom in 2008. Gone are Barry Zito, Tim Hudson, Frank Thomas, Jason Kendall, Milton Bradley, Esteban Loaiza, Nick Swisher, and Dan Haren and in comes Kurt Suzuki, Daric Barton, Mark Ellis, Travis Buck, and Chris Denorfia. Isn't that the guy from Family Ties? It's gone real bad if fans in Oakland are waiting for football season. (68-94)
   
   
4. Texas Rangers - See everything I said about Oakland. Apply it to the Rangers and just change the names of new guys to Ben Broussard, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and such. Not only does there offense now stink, but the guy who was second on the team in wins last year was Joaquin Benoit, a reliever. Look for a heated battle for the bottom out west this year in Arlington. (67-85)

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