How the AL West Will Shake Out

by user Andersed

Before the beginning of this season, I attempted to see through my Seattle Mariners-tinted lenses and predict the AL West standings. It's really not that difficult, because there are only four teams in the division. Then again, those four teams were separated by only 2.5 games entering the second half.

If they have midseason fantasy sports leagues, I feel that I'm allowed to make new midseason projections.

Let's revisit my March predictions

1. Oakland Athletics

2. Seattle Mariners

3. Texas Rangers

4. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

I also thought the division would be down in terms of winning percentage and fairly even. So, super, I'm right, but through July. Surely things will change. Oakland always goes on a second-half tear, Texas' pitching always collapses, the Angels usually manage to stick with Oakland, and the Mariners haven't been around for awhile.

The division just endured a recent stretch where it was thrown in a washing machine, but not completely cleaned, and then slammed in a trash compactor. So that's why we're here. To sort out the mess.

Here's how I think the AL West will finish (big surprise: the wildcard team won't come from this division)...

1. Oakland Athletics - Frankly, this team has no offense. But Billy Beane did find Jay Payton at just the right time last year. I just wonder if he's crazy enough to trade Barry Zito, as has been speculated on this site. His deals never seem to fail, though. Can I just say (write) one thing? This team is absolutely obscene to watch, especially in their crappy, huge, named-after-a-computer-virus stadium that is always half-empty. Do Marco Scutaro, Joe Blanton, and Kirk Saarloos get your engine going?

2. Texas Rangers - In those long lost initial predictions, I said that Kevin Millwood would fall apart in home games, no matter what the Rangers, Millwood, his agent, or Barry Bonds' ex-friends said about his incredible 2005 ERA. Ha. Someone on this site (please remind me who) made the astute point that Michael Young's oh-so-predictable game-winning hit in the All Star Game could boost the Rangers' confidence and propel them to a big second half. In an unrelated event, Mark Teixeira returned to the team today. That idea is just original and crazy enough to work.

3. Los Angels Anaheim of Angeles - Not to return to those initial predictions or anything, but I wrote that the Angels would finally run into the bright red, monkey-laden wall that is Age. That happened for awhile. Then the deepest farm system perhaps in history gave birth to Jered Weaver, Mike Napoli, Kevin Murphy, and a few others. They've survived three or four flops by young players (most notably Dallas McPherson) because they just keep churning them out like Mormon children (my apologies). Just wait until they trade Adam Kennedy and bring up Howie Kendrick. Or until the constantly-shifting roster finally implodes. By the way, Orlando Cabrera's streak is amazing.

4. Seattle's Mariners - Before the season I put the Mariners at number two in a rough bout of wishful thinking. It seemed like I was an idiot for about two months, and then they finally began playing within a few area codes of their potential. Problem is, I don't think it can last. This team's success is way too fragile and they don't have the type of squad that can run off 25 out of 30 games or any other division-winning streak. Of course, the Seattle Times just mentioned Carl Crawford today and I nearly went nuts with anticipation.

With any luck, this order will be completely reversed in about two and a half months.

Date

Thu 07/13/06, 7:40 pm EST

DeuelioJV Squad

1214 days ago

Score 0

At some point I keep hoping that A's will not turn in an incredible second half of the season. I worry about Anahiem, particularly if they add another bat. Texas is scary too, but they seem to wilt down the stretch. I'm hoping the M's are buyers at the deadline and make a move that can help them stay in the race. The M's aren't out of it, but we need a starter to take Joel's spot. I wouldn't turn down Crawford though. Do you read the Times or the PI for M's coverage? Which one is better?

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AndersedJV Squad

1214 days ago

Score 0

I read the Times. I think their baseball coverage overall is better, though I only look at the P-I occasionally. At the very least, it will be an exciting (if somewhat pathetic) division race, and the Mariners figure to be part of it for awhile at least.

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ASwaffAll-American

1214 days ago

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I think whether or not Texas wins the division will hinge on two things - Teixeira and Eaton. The Rangers managed to keep their heads above water in the first half with a patchwork rotation. They're expecting Eaton back at the end of July or beginning of August, and that could be a huge boost. It will depend on whether the Rangers get first half of 2005 Eaton or second half of 2005 Eaton. As you said, they also need Teixeira to get going. Last night was a good start, but they need a lot more than one game. If he gets back to hitting the way he can, that lineup may well be the best in baseball.

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