Opening day is on the horizon, and over the course of spring training we at Wolf Tracks will be doing a division by division breakdown of all 30 MLB teams, continuing with the American League West.

1.Houston Astros

The Astros come off a disappointing season, finishing third in the AL West 11 games behind the division champion Texas Rangers. The Astros added some solid bats to an already talented lineup by trading for Brian McCann, and by signing both Carlos Beltran and Josh Reddick. A talented lineup along with a former CY Young Award winner, Dallas Keuchel, leading a rotation that includes Collin McHugh and Lance McCullers, makes Houston the favorites to win the division.

2. Texas Rangers

The two time defending AL West champion Texas Rangers won the division by eight games, finishing with the best record in the AL only to get swept by the Toronto Blue Jays in the ALDS. Mike Napoli returns to the Rangers for his third stint with the team, adding a powerful bat to an already star-studded lineup that includes Adrian Beltre and Johnathan Lucroy. The Rangers are full of talented players that could make a run not only for the division but for the World Series.

3. Seattle Mariners

General Manager Jerry Dipoto seemingly made a trade every other day. Adding Danny Valencia, Jean Segura, and Jarrod Dyson helped improve a lineup that already features Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz. Felix Hernandez might finally have some help in the rotation as Seattle added pitchers Drew Smyly and Yovani Gallardo to go along with Hernandez, Hisashi Iwakuma, and James Paxton. Despite all the additions, Seattle is still a step below the big two in the division but they still could make a push for a wildcard berth.

4. Los Angeles Angels

Mike Trout’s best years are being wasted on the terrible Angels teams that have been put forth the past couple seasons. This year will be another disappointing season in Anaheim as the Angels lack the talent to compete with most teams in the American League. A weak rotation and bullpen go along with a mediocre lineup outside of Trout and Albert Pujols make Los Angeles a team that will be sitting in the cellar of the AL. The only positive is that the Angels are in the same division as the Athletics.

5. Oakland Athletics

A’s fans will have to keep remembering the good stretch from 2012-14 as this season will be a rough one in the Bay area. It is only a matter of time until Sonny Gray is no longer wearing the green and gold, with the former all-star expected to be traded away before the trade deadline. The bright spot for Oakland is that they have a lot of good prospects that are expected to make it to the big leagues within the next two seasons