AL West
With the realignment of divisions, the AL West finally gets a fifth team, but it really doesn't add much to the divisional picture as Houston is not good. Even with that, this is a division that could still see a couple teams make the playoffs pretty easily. Based on how I've predicted the first two American League divisions, I'm thinking they definitely will. And maybe this time I'll get the division's winner right.
1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
2012: 89-73, 3rd in AL West
Last year I had these guys winning the division after being one of the winners of the 2011-2012 offseason. They never really got on a great roll though and ended up being behind Oakland and Texas down the stretch. I do think having a full season of Mike Trout will help, as will the addition of Josh Hamilton to an already deadly lineup (that Pujols guy is pretty good too). Jered Weaver anchors a good rotation, and I think this team should get to the playoffs this year.
2013 Projection: 97-65
2012: 93-69, 2nd in AL West, lost in AL Wild Card Game
Even with you taking Josh Hamilton out of the equation, this team still returns a lot of the key pieces that were part of back to back pennants and the group that had the Rangers in first until the end of the season. Losing Mike Napoli hurts, but picking up Lance Berkman helps the lineup, and AJ Pierzynski is a good catcher even at his age. The rotation can do some damage, and if Joe Nathan stays healthy, this Rangers team should be back in the playoff mix this year.
2013 Projection: 95-67, Wild Card
2012: 94-68, 1st in AL West, lost in ALDS
This A's team came out of nowhere last season for all intents and purposes to sneak into the playoffs after no one expected them to. I think that experience certainly helps them for 2013, but I'm not sure they can make it back. Yoenis Cespedes had a good first year in the bigs and I'm sure he will improve in his sophomore campaign, but I'm just not overly impressed with this team. They'll compete in a polarized division, but I don't think they'll make the playoffs.
2013 Projection: 89-73
2012: 79-87, 4th in AL West
They actually finished with a better record than I remembered them having last year, which bodes well for this team. Having Felix Hernandez always helps, and there's decent pitching behind him. The biggest question once again will be whether or not they can score enough runs after finishing with the fewest in the American League last year (yet there were a few NL teams that did worse).
2013 Projection: 79-83
2012: 55-107, 6th in NL Central
Houston gets to start off the Major League season on Sunday night against Texas in their first American League game ever. I think you could safely argue that the American League as a whole is better than the National League, so with Houston switching to tougher competition, I think this is going to be a rough year in South Texas. There's some decent youth here with guys like Jose Altuve, but that can only get you so far.
2013 Projection: 49-113
Tomorrow at some point I'll get the last prediction up, probably during the interim between Easter Sunday church and dinner. One more division, and a look at the NL West is next!
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