The Los Angles Angels have dominated the AL West the past few seasons winning the last three division titles. Last year they finished 97-65, ten games ahead of Texas. They went on to sweep Boston 3-0 in the divisional round of the playoffs, but lost to the Yankees in the ALCS in six games. The Rangers finished the season 87-75, winning eight more games than they did in 2008. Seattle was 12 games back at 85-77 which was a dramatic improvement over their 61 win total the previous season. Oakland was the only team in the division with a losing record, finishing 75-87, 22 games back. Here is a brief preview of all the teams in the West and their future odds for the 2010 season.
Los Angeles Angels – Odds to Win the American League 17/2 Odds to Win the World Series 15/1
The Angels may have taken a step or two backwards since last year with the loss of P John Lackey and 3B Chone Figgens. They still have a very strong starting rotation led by Jered Weaver and Joe Saunders and have a solid closer in Brain Fuentes. To add some power to the lineup they brought in Hideki Matsui to go along with Bobby Abreu and Kendry Morales. They still have enough talent to win the West, but with the other teams closing the gap it will not be nearly as easy.
Seattle Mariners – Odds to Win the American League 8/1 Odds to Win the World Series 16/1
Seattle will look to build on their success from last season and have added some weapons that should help them make a serious run at the title. In acquiring P Cliff Lee from Philadelphia to join Felix Hernandez, the Mariners should have one of the better rotations in the AL. They have a solid bull pen and a proven closer in David Aardsma. Defensively they are solid from top to bottom and the addition of Figgens from the Angels to go along with Ichiro Suzuki, this should help to improve their ability to score runs.
Texas Rangers – Odds to Win the American League 12/1 Odds to Win the World Series 25/1
This team has steadily improved since 2007 but will be challenged to keep that momentum going in 2010. There are still some health concerns with Josh Hamilton and Michael Young. They did add P Rich Harden to go along with Scott Feldman in the starting rotation, but question marks in their bull pen have yet to be answered. Offensively they should be fine. They added Vladimir Guerrero as a DH and still have guys like Ian Kinsler and Nelson Cruz who know how to produce some runs.
Oakland Athletics – Odds to Win the American League 28/1 Odds to Win the World Series 55/1
The biggest thing that Oakland has going for them this season is a young but solid starting rotation that is just dying to prove they can go out and win games. They added P Ben Sheets to go along with Brett Anderson and Trevor Cahill, and have Andrew Bailey as their closer. Offensively they were able to hang onto Jack Cust, who tested the free agent market but decided to stay with the A’s and have high hopes for Michael Taylor, one of their top minor league prospects .
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