AL West preview: predictions and projections
Article By Unknown on 1st April, 2010
Sporting News staff reports
Ichiro Suzuki is the West's best hitter.
The Angels have won three consecutive AL West titles and five of the past six. However, the improved Mariners figure to tighten up the race, and the Rangers should build upon their 87-win season in 2009. With Ben Sheets anchoring a young and impressive rotation, the A's also could pick up some momentum.
SN's predicted order of finish in the AL West:
1. Los Angeles Angels
2. Seattle Mariners
3. Texas Rangers
4. Oakland Athletics
BUT LOOK OUT FOR ...
Sporting News contributor Todd Jones, a former major league closer, picks one team that could prove SN wrong:
Mariners. Defensively, this team is loaded with guys who can pick it. The rotation, led by King Felix and Cliff Lee, will keep Seattle in games all season, and David Aardsma can slam the door.
THE ALL-DIVISION TEAM
By MLB Network analyst Harold Reynolds
Former Mariners second baseman
Ian Kinsler hit 31 homers in 2009. LINEUP
C: Kurt Suzuki, A's
1B: Kendry Morales, Angels
2B: Ian Kinsler, Rangers
3B: Chone Figgins, Mariners
SS: Erick Aybar, Angels
OF: Milton Bradley, Mariners
OF: Torii Hunter, Angels
OF: Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners
DH: Hideki Matsui, Angels
ROTATION
RHP: Felix Hernandez, Mariners
LHP: Cliff Lee, Mariners
RHP: Scott Feldman, Rangers
RHP: Jered Weaver, Angels
LHP: Joe Saunders, Angels
CLOSER
RHP: Frank Francisco, Rangers
MANAGER
Mike Scioscia, Angels
— As told to Jeff D'Alessio
THREE THINGS I THINK ABOUT THE AL WEST
By TBS analyst Dennis Eckersley
Former A's pitcher
1. The Angels will win the division. They've got a nice lineup—they're going to score some runs. But that pitching, it's legit, especia...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for MLB
SN's predicted order of finish in the AL West:
1. Los Angeles Angels
2. Seattle Mariners
3. Texas Rangers
4. Oakland Athletics
BUT LOOK OUT FOR ...
Sporting News contributor Todd Jones, a former major league closer, picks one team that could prove SN wrong:
Mariners. Defensively, this team is loaded with guys who can pick it. The rotation, led by King Felix and Cliff Lee, will keep Seattle in games all season, and David Aardsma can slam the door.
THE ALL-DIVISION TEAM
By MLB Network analyst Harold Reynolds
Former Mariners second baseman
Ian Kinsler hit 31 homers in 2009. LINEUP
C: Kurt Suzuki, A's
1B: Kendry Morales, Angels
2B: Ian Kinsler, Rangers
3B: Chone Figgins, Mariners
SS: Erick Aybar, Angels
OF: Milton Bradley, Mariners
OF: Torii Hunter, Angels
OF: Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners
DH: Hideki Matsui, Angels
ROTATION
RHP: Felix Hernandez, Mariners
LHP: Cliff Lee, Mariners
RHP: Scott Feldman, Rangers
RHP: Jered Weaver, Angels
LHP: Joe Saunders, Angels
CLOSER
RHP: Frank Francisco, Rangers
MANAGER
Mike Scioscia, Angels
— As told to Jeff D'Alessio
THREE THINGS I THINK ABOUT THE AL WEST
By TBS analyst Dennis Eckersley
Former A's pitcher
1. The Angels will win the division. They've got a nice lineup—they're going to score some runs. But that pitching, it's legit, especia...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for MLB
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