2009 AL West Predictions

1st Place – Los Angeles Angels -220 to Win AL West
The Halos are the big favorites out West again, but while I have them winning the division, I do expect the rest of the teams to narrow the gap. Last year was the Angels’ year to do some damage and Boston stood in their way in the postseason yet again. Losing Mark Teixeira to higher bidders takes a big bat out of the lineup and losing record-breaking closer Francisco Rodriguez to the Mets hurts the pen as well. The Angels are aging, and I can’t see this team winning 100 games like it did a season ago. But the Halos have won 92 or more games in five of the last seven seasons and they have a strong starting pitching staff in place that could help them push for that mark again.

2nd Place – Texas Rangers +500 to Win AL West
The Rangers have come accustomed to either finishing third or fourth in this division, but they broke through with a second place finish in 2008. It was the first time Texas finished above third place since 1999. The Rangers still finished 21 games behind the Angels but it was a good step in the right direction. Texas has a dangerous lineup that can slug with anyone in the AL, led by Josh Hamilton. How much Texas improves this season will depend on its pitching as the offense is going to score runs. The Rangers led the Majors in runs scored last season but also led the league in relief innings pitched. That pretty much tells the story.

3rd Place – Seattle Mariners +1000 to Win AL West
What a disappointing season it was for the Mariners in 2008. After winning 88 games to finish just six back of the Angels in 2007, the M’s dipped to just 61 wins and last place last year. After a 101-loss season, it would seem as if the Mariners would have nowhere to go but up, but the offense is going to have to get a lot better. The teams Ken Griffey Jr./A-Rod days are long gone and now the M’s will go to battle in ‘08 without top RBI guy Raul Ibanez who heads over to World Series champ Philly to bolster its lineup. It’s hard to do in the American League, but Seattle will have to win games with its pitching and defense. Ace Felix Hernandez and a now healthy Erik Bedard make up a formidable one-two punch. Ichiro Suzuki remains one of the toughest outs in baseball and the M’s will look for their power to come from Adrian Beltre.

4th Place – Oakland Athletics +250 to Win AL West
Back-to-back third place finishes for the A’s and I believe it will dip to last this season. I completely disagree with GM Billy Beane’s approach to building a contender. Trading stud pitchers Dan Haren, Joe Blanton, and Rich Harden as well as outfielders Mark Kotsay and Nick Swisher just doesn’t add up. All this cost-cutting is going to put Oakland in a world of hurt this season. Getting Matt Holliday from the Rockies adds a nice stick, but will Beane deal him before the deadline. The A’s appear set on continuing their approach of stockpiling young talent. Only time will tell if it pays off.

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If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:

• 2009 NFC West Predictions
• 2009 Sweet 16 Predictions: West Region

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