Capsule previews of the AL West groups, listed so as of their 2021 end:
HOUSTON ASTROS
2021: 95-67, first place, misplaced to Atlanta in World Collection
Supervisor: Dusty Baker (third season)
Opening Day: Thursday (April 7) at Angels
He’s Right here: SS Jeremy Peña, INF Niko Goodrum, 2B Franklin Barreto, OF Lewis Brinson, RHP Hector Neris, LHP Adam Morgan, LHP Zach Rosscup
He’s Outta Right here: Pitching coach Brent Strom, SS Carlos Correa, RHP Zack Greinke, RHP Yimi Garcia, LHP Brooks Raley, RHP Kendall Graveman
Prime Hitters: 1B Yuli Gurriel (AL-best .319, 15 HRs, 81 RBIs, .846 OPS), LF Michael Brantley (.311, 8, 47, .799 OPS), DH Yordan Alvarez (.277, 33, 104, .877 OPS), 2B Jose Altuve (.277, 31, 83, .838 OPS, 117 runs), 3B Alex Bregman (.270, 12, 55, .777 OPS in 91 video games)
Projected Rotation: RH Justin Verlander (missed 2021 and pitched only one sport in 2020 because of Tommy John surgical procedure; 21-6, 2.58 ERA in 2019), LH Framber Valdez (11-6, 3.14), RH Luis Garcia (11-8, 3.30, 167 Ks), RH Jake Odorizzi (6-7, 4.21), RH José Urquidy (8-3, 3.62) or RH Lance McCullers Jr. (13-5, 3.16, 185 Ks)
Key Relievers: RH Ryan Pressly (5-3, 2.25, 26 for 29 on save opps, 81 Ks), RH Ryne Stanek (3-5, 3.42, 83 Ks), RH Pedro Báez (2.08 in 4 video games), RH Phil Maton (4-0, 4.97)
Outlook: After reaching the World Collection for the third time in 5 seasons, the Astros anticipate to contend for a title once more this yr. They misplaced Correa in free company however return most of their different key gamers from a crew that gained 95 video games earlier than dropping the World Collection to the Braves in six video games. Houston’s rotation ought to get an enormous increase from Verlander’s return. The 2-time Cy Younger Award winner has pitched only one sport within the final two seasons after present process Tommy John surgical procedure. If the 39-year-old Verlander can return to his 2019 type when he gained his final Cy Younger, he can lead a rotation that includes a number of younger pitchers who made strides final season. Even when the rotation is improved, the energy of this crew will doubtless stay the highly effective offense, which led the majors final season with a .267 batting common. The Astros return Gurriel, who hit .319 to win the AL batting title, and Brantley, who was tied for second at .311. Additionally again is Alvarez, who led the crew with 33 homers and 104 RBIs in his first full season after fighting accidents his first two years. Altuve and Bregman additionally return and can be counted on to assist rookie Peña as he makes an attempt to fill Correa’s enormous footwear.
SEATTLE MARINERS
2021: 90-72, second place
Supervisor: Scott Servais (seventh season)
Opening Day: Thursday (April 7) at Minnesota
He’s Right here: LHP Robbie Ray, OF Jesse Winker, 3B Eugenio Suárez, 2B/OF Adam Frazier, RHP Sergio Romo
He’s Outta Right here: 3B Kyle Seager, LHP Yusei Kikuchi, LHP Tyler Anderson, OF Jake Fraley, OF Jake Bauers, RHP Justin Dunn
Prime Hitters: SS J.P. Crawford (.273, 9 HRs, 54 RBIs), LF Jesse Winker (.305, 24, 71, .949 OPS with Cincinnati), RF Mitch Haniger (.253, 39, 100, .804 OPS), 1B Ty France (.291, 18, 73, .813 OPS), 2B Adam Frazier (.305, 5, 43, .368 OBP with Pirates and Padres)
Projected Rotation: LH Robbie Ray (13-7, 2.84 ERA, 248 Ks, AL Cy Younger Award winner with Toronto), LH Marco Gonzales (10-6, 3.96, 143-1/3 IP), RH Chris Flexen (14-6, 3.61, 179-2/3 IP), RH Logan Gilbert (6-5, 4.68 in 24 begins), RH Matt Brash (6-4, 2.31, 142 Ks in 97-1/3 IP at Excessive-A and Double-A)
Key Relievers: RH Ken Giles (2-3, 1.87 ERA, 23 saves in 2019 with Toronto), RH Andrés Muñoz (1-1, 3.91 in 22 video games in 2019 with Padres), RH Paul Sewald (10-3, 3.06, 11 saves), RH Drew Steckenrider (5-2, 2.00, 14 saves), LH Anthony Misiewicz (5-5, 4.61 in 66 video games)
Outlook: The rebuild that’s taken a number of seasons seems to lastly be full. After a stunning 90 wins final season, Seattle begins this yr with expectations of contending for the playoffs and ending its two-decade drought and not using a postseason look. The strikes Seattle made addressed main wants, bringing in Ray because the No. 1 starter and including two key bats in Winker and Suárez in a commerce with Cincinnati. Haniger and France can be tasked with attempting to match their output on the plate from final season. The leap Seattle’s offense wants might rely largely on the event of younger outfielder Jarred Kelenic, the anticipated arrival of prized prospect Julio Rodríguez and the well being of 2020 AL Rookie of the 12 months Kyle Lewis. Seattle’s bullpen was distinctive final season, and if it matches that efficiency and the crew will get an offensive bump, the Mariners would possibly lastly discover themselves again within the postseason.
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
2021: 86-76, third place
Supervisor: Mark Kotsay (first season)
Opening Day: Friday (April 8) at Philadelphia
He’s Right here: 1B Eric Thames, 1B Billy McKinney, RHP Adam Oller, RHP Brent Honeywell, 3B Kevin Smith, 3B Sheldon Neuse, C Stephen Vogt, OF Cristian Pache, LHP Sam Selman
He’s Outta Right here: Supervisor Bob Melvin, 1B Matt Olson, 3B Matt Chapman, RHP Chris Bassitt, LHP Jake Diekman, OF Starling Marte, OF Mark Canha, RHP Yusmeiro Petit, RHP Sergio Romo, RHP Mike Fiers, 1B Mitch Moreland, C Yan Gomes, OF Khris Davis, LHP Andrew Chafin, 2B Josh Harrison
Prime Hitters: OF Seth Brown (.214, 20 HRs, 48 RBIs), C Sean Murphy (.216, 17, 59), 2B Tony Kemp (.279, 8, 37), SS Elvis Andrus (.243, 3, 37)
Projected Rotation: LH Sean Manaea (11-10, 3.91 ERA), RH Frankie Montas (13-9, 3.37, 207 Ks), LH Cole Irvin (10-15, 4.24), RH Daulton Jefferies (1-0, 3.60), RH Adam Oller (9-4, 3.45 in minors with Mets).
Key Relievers: RH Lou Trivino (7-8, 3.18, 22 of 26 save opps), RH Deolis Guerra (4-1, 4.11), RH Domingo Acevedo (0-0, 3.27)
Outlook: The offseason exodus from Oakland began early when the A’s allowed Melvin, their longtime supervisor, to go away for San Diego after main the membership to 6 playoff berths in 11 seasons. Then quickly after the lockout ended, the A’s traded away stars Olson, Chapman and Bassitt, signaling one other shift to rebuilding mode. The low-budget A’s have adopted this sample for years, contending for stretches after which sending away stars to re-tool earlier than the roster will get too costly. Whereas it has labored up to now, it doesn’t make it any simpler on a pissed off fan base that can be coping with questions surrounding the crew’s future within the Bay Space, with possession threatening to go away for Las Vegas with out cash for a brand new stadium. This figures to be a attempting yr in Oakland, the place the hope would be the growth of prospects like Pache and Oller acquired within the offseason trades.
ANGELS
2021: 77-85, fourth place
Supervisor: Joe Maddon (third season)
Opening Day: Thursday (April 7) vs. Houston
He’s Right here: RHP Noah Syndergaard, RHP Michael Lorenzen, LHP Aaron Loup, RHP Ryan Tepera, RHP Archie Bradley, INF Tyler Wade, INF Andrew Velazquez, INF Matt Duffy
He’s Outta Right here: LF Justin Upton, RHP Alex Cobb, RHP Dylan Bundy, RHP Steve Cishek, INF Phil Gosselin, OF Juan Lagares
Prime Hitters: CF Mike Trout (.333, 8 HRs, 18 RBIs, 1.090 OPS in 36 video games), DH/RHP Shohei Ohtani (.257, 46, 100, .965 OPS, 26 SBs, AL MVP), 3B Anthony Rendon (.240, 6, 34 in 58 video games), 1B Jared Walsh (.277, 29, 98, .850 OPS)
Projected Rotation: RH Shohei Ohtani (9-2, 3.18 ERA, 156 Ks), RH Noah Syndergaard (two appearances in final two seasons with Mets because of Tommy John surgical procedure), LH Patrick Sandoval (3-6, 3.62), LH José Suárez (8-8, 3.75), RH Michael Lorenzen (1-2, 5.59 as reliever with Reds), LH Reid Detmers (1-3, 7.40 in 20-2/3 innings)
Key Relievers: RH Raisel Iglesias (7-5, 2.57 ERA, 34 saves), LH Aaron Loup (6-0, 0.95 with Mets), RH Archie Bradley (7-3, 3.71 with Phillies), RH Ryan Tepera (0-2, 2.79 with Cubs and White Sox), RH Mike Mayers (5-5, 3.84)
Outlook: The large-budget, star-studded Angels take one other shot at ending their embarrassing skids of six consecutive dropping seasons and 7 in a row out of the playoffs. Basic Supervisor Perry Minasian made a number of efforts to restore the pitching employees that has perpetually been the Halos’ undoing. He signed the long-injured Syndergaard and longtime reliever Lorenzen in comparatively dangerous strikes to attempt to shore up the rotation. Minasian’s bullpen transactions had been extra surefire in including Loup, Bradley and Tepera whereas paying high greenback to retain Iglesias. The lineup is wholesome and theoretically potent after damage woes sidelined Trout and Rendon for big chunks of 2021. Trout and Rendon seem extremely motivated to reclaim their standing within the sport, whereas the Angels simply need extra of the identical from Ohtani after his historic MVP season. Maddon is hoping enchancment in his rotation additionally comes from inside, together with continued progress from Suárez and Sandoval together with the arrival of rookie Detmers. If every little thing goes properly on the mound, the Angels might no less than contend for his or her first playoff berth since 2014. The difficulty is, 2014 can be the final time every little thing went properly for the Halos’ pitching employees.
TEXAS RANGERS
2021: 60-102, fifth place
Supervisor: Chris Woodward (fourth season)
Opening Day: Friday (April 8) at Toronto
He’s Right here: SS Corey Seager, 2B Marcus Semien, C Mitch Garver, RHP Jon Grey, LHP Martín Pérez, RHP Garrett Richards, INF/OF Brad Miller, OF Kole Calhoun, RHP Greg Holland
He’s Outta Right here: SS Isiah Kiner-Falefa, 3B Brock Holt, RHP Jordan Lyles, RHP Mike Foltynewicz
Prime Hitters: SS Corey Seager (.306, 16 HRs, 57 RBIs in 95 video games with Dodgers), 2B Marcus Semien (.265, 45, 102, 15 SBs, .873 OPS with Toronto), RF Adolis Garcia (.243, 31, 90), C Mitch Garver (.256, 13, 34, .875 OPS with Minnesota), 1B Nathaniel Lowe (.264, 18, 72)
Projected Rotation: RH Jon Grey (8-12, 4.59 ERA, 157 Ks in 149 IP with Colorado), LH Martín Pérez (7-8, 4.74 with Boston), RH Dane Dunning (5-10, 4.51), LH Taylor Hearn (6-6, 4.66 in 42 video games, 11 begins), RHP Spencer Howard (0-5, 7.43 with Philadelphia and Texas) or LH Kolby Allard (3-12, 5.41)
Key Relievers: LH Brett Martin (4-4, 3.18 ERA in 66 video games), RH Garrett Richards (7-8, 4.87 in 40 video games, 22 begins, with Boston), RH Greg Holland (3-5, 4.85 with Royals), RH Joe Barlow (0-2, 1.55 in 33 video games), RH Josh Sborz (4-3, 3.97, 69 Ks in 59 IP), LH John King (7-5, 3.52 in 27 appearances)
Outlook: The Rangers adopted 102 losses final yr with a document offseason spending spree of greater than a half-billion {dollars}. Most of that cash went to its new All-Star center infield of Seager ($325 million/10 seasons) and Semien ($175 million/seven seasons). Grey turned the No. 1 starter when he signed a $56 million, four-year deal, and Garver is a catcher with some pop on the plate. He was acquired from Minnesota when Texas traded Kiner-Falefa firstly of spring coaching. Whereas the Rangers ought to be markedly improved, ending their streak of 5 consecutive dropping seasons is a way more viable aim than making the playoffs. That’s the longest streak for the crew since shifting to Texas 50 years in the past. There are nonetheless too many unproven younger pitchers within the rotation and bullpen, together with uncertainty at third base.
