The next installment from Viral Global News Sports presents the 2014 MLB season preview, bringing us to the talent-rich American League West.
American League West
1. Texas Rangers
The conventional wisdom has Texas no longer the favorite to win the AL West. After disappointment in 2013, look for the 2014 Rangers to be a hungrier version than in the past. The addition of Prince Fielder will provide pop in the lineup and additional protection. This is a lineup where most everyone is a long ball threat. The Rangers rally and win the division on the last day of the season.
2. Oakland Athletics
The A’s won the division by 5 ½ games in 2013. The additions of Scott Kazmir and Jimmy Johnson help their chance of a repeat. The rub is, the AL West is simply stacked deep with talented teams.
3. Seattle Mariners
It is easy to feel like with all the attention he is getting that Robinson Canoe is over hyped. He is not! The Mariners are going to be a lot tougher with his bat in the lineup. This is a deceptively balanced lineup. If the starting rotation improves even modestly, Seattle could be a sleeper Wild Card team.
4. LA Angels
Injuries and under-performing superstars made life tough on the Angels in 2013. A healthy Albert Pujols in 2014 and some “return to form” years for Josh Hamilton and Jered Weaver would make the Angels run-away favorites in the West. Unfortunately, it may not happen. Mike Trout has a career year, slamming home his case for a mega-extension.
5. Houston Astros
Houston, we have a problem….. The Astros are not going to the playoffs. The Astros will be in last place in the division and they are going to have to consider only losing 90 games a moral victory. The roster is too weak and division is too strong. It is gonna be a long season for the ‘stros.
Outlook: This is the tightest division in the AL. You could make a case for any team other than Houston emerging on top. They have to play each other, but will feast on the rest of the AL, so look for strong wild card representation out of the AL West in 2014.
On Deck- NL East