MLB Predictions: Predicting the Records of the Teams in the AL West
The American League West is the only division in baseball with four teams. In baseball, size of your division is no matter, and the AL Champion Texas Rangers proved that in 2010.
Even though they are small, the AL West provides no fewer dramatics than other divisions, and they provide more than most. Three of the four teams in the AL West came within 10 games of each other for the division crown.
The AL West belonged to the Texas Rangers in 2010, but did the offseason shift the balance of power?
This is part six of a seven-part series predicting the records of every team by division, and then predicting the postseason matchups and results (links to the other divisions and date of the postseason can be found on the last slide).
So, with no further ado, let’s break down the tight race for the playoffs in the AL West.
4. Seattle Mariners 62-100
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In 2010, the Mariners went 61-101 and finished in the basement of the AL West.
During the offseason the Mariners added Justin Smoak and Jack Cust to try to mix some power into the lineup. Unfortunately, Smoak cannot find his stroke, and Cust’s power is waning even though he did post a .272 batting average last season. Ichiro consistently gets 200 hits per season, but with no one to knock him in, the offense will continue to struggle.
The M’s only good pitcher is Cy Young winner Felix Hernandez, and he is a gem. Despite having one of the best aces in baseball, the rest of their rotation and bullpen is pretty bad. The Mariners made absolutely no adjustments to their bullpen or rotation that will change their poor record.
Prediction: The Mariners will be sellers around the trade deadline, but they will probably only trade someone good if they are offered quite a bit.
3. Oakland Athletics 83-79
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Oakland broke even last season, finishing 81-81, good enough for second in the division.
During the offseason, the A’s strengthened their lineup by acquiring designated hitter Hideki Matsui, and corner outfielders Josh Willingham and David DeJesus. These three guys will definitely help a very poor offense.
The A’s have a good pitching staff, which they proved during 2010. Oakland’s pitching staff was the reason they went .500 in 2010, and they have not changed. Dallas Braden proved he is legit by pitching a perfect game, and Brian Fuentes is a good reliever.
Overall, Oakland improved this offseason, but Matsui is getting old and he is not producing like he did earlier in his career, and Willingham and DeJesus can only take the team so far.
Prediction: The A’s will not make any big moves around the trade deadline, and they will finish third in a tough AL West.
2. Texas Rangers 87-75
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Last season, Texas went 90-72 and won the AL West. The Rangers then went on to win the AL Pennant. One of the questions facing the Rangers is will they be able to bounce back from losing in the World Series?
During the offseason, the Rangers lost Vladimir Guerrero and Cliff Lee, while they gained Adrian Beltre. The Rangers’ lineup did not lose much, although they are weak at first base and center field. The Rangers’ lineup is very solid, even if it is weak at one of the biggest hitting positions.
The Rangers pitching staff is now led by young C.J. Wilson and Colby Lewis. The Rangers took a risk this offseason and acquired pitcher Brandon Webb who hasn’t pitched more than four innings since 2008. Webb used to be an All-Star, and he finished in the top two for Cy Young voting in three straight years (winning one) from 2006 to 2008. While Webb has the potential to be great, I see him pitching an average year for pitchers (not an average year for Brandon Webb), and not helping or hurting the Rangers.
Prediction: Texas will not make any major moves around the deadline, and they’ll finish second because of it.
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1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 89-73
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The Angels went 80-82 in 2010, and finished third in the division.
The Angels suffered enough injuries to dethrone them from the top of the AL West, but they look to stay healthy this time around. Even though the Angels did not land Adrian Beltre or Carl Crawford, coming back healthy ought to give them a boost offensively.
The Angels have one of the best pitching staffs in the AL, led by Jered Weaver and Dan Haren. Joel Pineiro and Ervin Santana are also quite good, while Scott Kazmir can be great at times. Because he is being disrespected by everyone in the baseball world, I see Kazmir coming out and having a good 2011 to show the critics what he is really made of. I see this lifting the Angels to the top of the AL West this season, by the closest of margins.
Predictions: The Angels will be close to the division lead at the trade deadline, and they will acquire a good bat in order to strengthen their lineup and make up for losing on Beltre and Crawford.
Further Reading
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Postseason: Tuesday 3/22
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