Each week leading up to the start of the MLB season, we’ll be taking a look at one division, giving you our projected final standings and one storyline for each squad heading into the 2020 season. F1 Preview to come later this week.
We’ve already previewed the AL East and AL Central so let’s continue moving across the country and take a look this week at the AL West.
1. Los Angeles Angels:
Rendon to to rock the division: Can just one player change the prospects of an entire team? Of course not. Can one player change the course of an entire league alongside a three time AL MVP, three time NL MVP and two way player deemed the next Babe Ruth? Definitely. That is exactly what Anthony Rendon, who signed with LA from Washington this past offseason will do for the franchise, which finished fourth in the division last season. Rendon, a third baseman, is a power hitter who has posted a batting average of plus-.300 in each of the last three years and was an integral part of the Nationals’ world series playoff run. He had three hits in game six of the Fall Classic. His addition is a huge boost to the Angels infield, but not the only big offseason addition for the team. Manager Joe Maddon, who led the Cubs to an improbably world series title in 2016 will now be the skipper over this fledging AL West franchise, that is projected to go deep in the postseason.
2. Houston Astros:
Will the sign stealing scandal hang over their heads?: I do not see how it wouldn’t, but the Covid pandemic has been exactly what the Astros needed: something to make the American people put their cheating scheme at the back of their heads. With that, there is a new manager, Dusty Baker and new general manager, James Click for the 2020 season, which will present some differences to previous year’s systems. However, the stars out on the field (Jose Altuve, George Springer, Carlos Correa, Alex Bregman) have returned, making for a similar team to last year’s, which went to the 2019 World Series. Expect a step back, especially without longtime skipper AJ Hinch at the helm, but still a strong team that can still contend for the playoffs.
3. Oakland Athletics:
Young talent on the mound: Jesus Luzardo and Sean Manaea combined last season for a 4-0 record, two saves, and a 1.36 ERA. These two young pitchers, Luzardo a reliever, Manaea a starter, will be the anchors of the Oakland pitching staff. In a division with hitters like Mike Trout, Jose Altuve, and Joey Gallo, pitching will be crucial to the A’s contending for a wild card spot. In Baseball Reference's simulated stats through May 19, Manaea has started the 2020 season with a 5-2 record and 2.42 ERA. Luzardo is expected to be a long reliever for the team this season, as he has posted a 3-1 record in 56.2 innings pitched.
4. Texas Rangers:
Can a veteran core guide the Rangers back to October?: It has been three years since the Rangers made it to the playoffs, and nine since they won a series in the playoffs. Manager Chris Woodward hopes to turn that around, especially with an expanded playoffs in 2020. This offseason saw the team bring in two time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber and two time all-star Todd Frazier, both nine year MLB veterans. Frazier’s play at third base should remind many fans of Adrian Beltre, who was the everyday starter at “the hot corner” since 2011 and retired in 2018. Kluber has the potential to be the team’s ace on the mound. And don’t forget about longtime shortstop Elvis Andrus either. He is the only member of the 2011 team that made it to the World Series.
5. Seattle Mariners:
Relief action: In 2019, manager Jerry Dipoto used more relievers than any other big league team. With another young starting rotation, that appears to be the case heading into 2020. Why not? Carl Edwards Jr. is a world series veteran who has proven himself time and time again, Matt Magill was 3-2 last season, and Austin Adams, who pitched for the Mariners in 29 games last year. Of course, there are countless others that Dipoto will call upon as well. If this bullpen can limit the opponents’ runs in the final few innings, and keep Seattle in the game, it will give the hitters an opportunity to score and win ballgames. This season, the postseason seems just a little too far out of reach, but as these new pitchers and young hitters continue to develop and improve, Seattle could be contending for the division title within a couple of seasons.
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