Every season, the song of the American League West always seems to sound the same. The Seattle Mariners, Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers all seem to race against one another to be second best in the division, but the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim tend to shine through in the end. However, without trying to sound like a typical idealistic Seattle fan: it seems like this could be the year that the AL West will change its tune.
ESPN writer Buster Olney said it best when describing the division this year in a recent blog: “The AL West looks like a division of mud wrestlers, a place where no team really gives off the appearance of a gleaming champion.”
Sure, being a weak division is not something to be proud of. However, Olney’s observation points to the fact that the division is up for grabs, which are promising odds for fans of any AL West team besides the Angels.
For the reigning champs of the AL West, the Angels’ sloppy beginning has tested the confidence of the team. As of last week, they had only one win in five games, which was the team’s worst start since 1992. It would have been the worst start in franchise history if they lost against the A’s last Saturday, but they managed to squeak by with a 4-3 win against Oakland. It was almost like watching a little league game: but not nearly as endearing: seeing what has typically been a strong defensive team come out with a debilitating string of errors.
Manager Mike Scioscia was quoted saying that the team “could have been playing a Triple-A team these last couple of nights and would have lost.” Ouch, boss. But the truth hurts.
As for the Texas Rangers, there’s nothing worse than a blown save. But two consecutive blown saves? That’s enough to put closer Frank Francisco out of the bull pen and into the dog house. It all balanced out with great hitting in last Sunday’s Mariners massacre, with the Rangers busting out five runs in the first two innings followed by hit after hit and an eventual 9-2 win for the Texas. ESPN text updates blew up my phone that afternoon and I was more shocked than depressed about the phenomenal hitting that crushed my home team. Considering all the young players making up the Rangers’ roster, their immense potential could be a force to be reckoned with this season.
For the first time since 2004, the Oakland A’s were 4-1 in their first five games and testing the typically unbeatable Angels. The A’s have the kind of pitching talent that is noticeably better than any other team in the division. One in particular to look out for is left-handed pitcher Gio Gonzalez, who has started the last two seasons with Triple-A before being called up. Gonzalez showed off his chops in an impressive start for the A’s last Friday against the Angels, striking out six while issuing only one walk. As for hitting, it’s undeniable that Daric Barton, Kurt Suzuki and Rajai Davis are starting to build the hitting momentum the A’s are going to need to stay strong.
Last, and probably least in the division is the Seattle Mariners. Marquee free-agent signee Cliff Lee starting the season on the DL was a bit of a blow to the strong starting rotation the M’s were expecting. But we can’t forget about King Felix, whose consistency on the mound is going to be the crutch for the team for yet another season. The self-titled “Kanye West” of baseball (also known as Milton Bradley) had nine strikeouts in the first six games last week, which might have popped his ego a bit. Unless the Mariners can find better closers and manage to keep Franklin Gutierrez around, they will struggle to stay out of the AL West cellar.
