What’s Next for Defending Champion Rangers? Getting Healthy
MLB AL West Division Preview: Astros Slim +100 Favorites
The Houston Astros captured their third straight American League West crown last year, but it was the Texas Rangers who landed the biggest prize of the Major League Baseball season. Texas bludgeoned Houston in Game 7 of the ALCS en route to its first World Series title in franchise history.
Both teams carry strong squads into 2024, but do not rule out the Seattle Mariners making a run in the division.
We break down the odds and assess the teams to beat in our MLB AL West Division preview.
THE FAVORITE
Houston Astros (+100)
Houston has finished atop the American League West in six of the last seven seasons, with the exception of the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign. Oddsmakers expect the Astros to continue their reign, pricing them as +100 favorites over the defending World Series champion Rangers in our MLB AL West Division preview.
That is not really a surprise. Both their lineup and rotation remain intact, and they fortified their bullpen by signing All-Star closer Josh Hader.
Importantly, outfielder Yordan Alvarez and second baseman Jose Altuve are both healthy after dealing with MLB injuries last spring.
The Astros have the majors’ fourth-highest projected win total at 92.5 and are +400 favorites to win the AL. They also have the third-shortest World Series odds (+800) behind the Los Angels Dodgers (+350) and Atlanta Braves (+450).
TOP CONTENDERS
Texas Rangers (+200)
Shortstop Corey Seager underwent sports hernia surgery last month, and the World Series MVP remains on track to return by Opening Day. In the five-game victory over Arizona, Seager batted 6-for-21 (.286) with three home runs, six RBI, and six runs scored.
So long as Seager is healthy, Texas’ lineup will remain formidable.
There is far less certainty on the pitching side. A trio of starters — Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom, and Tyler Mahle — are likely to miss the first half of the season while recovering from injuries. That will rachet up the pressure on Nathan Eovaldi and Jon Gray atop the rotation. In the meantime, Texas would be wise to bring back left-hander Jordan Montgomery.
Despite the injuries, the Rangers — projected for 89.5 wins — remain on the shortlist of contenders. They are +650 to win the AL and +1400 to win the World Series, one of six MLB teams with 14/1 odds or better. Notably, there has not been a repeat World Series winner since the 1999-00 New York Yankees.
Seattle Mariners (+300)
True to form, general manager Jerry Dipoto stayed active this offseason. Seattle signed catcher/designated hitter Mitch Garver and traded for both second baseman Jorge Polanco and outfielder Luke Raley. Those moves should lengthen the lineup behind 23-year-old superstar Julio Rodriguez, who is coming off a 32-homer MLB season.
The Mariners are set at the top of their rotation, with Luis Castillo, Logan Gilbert and George Kirby forming a dynamic one-two-three punch. Their staff sported the majors’ third-best ERA (3.74) in 2023. That said, pitching depth will be critical given their age.
If Rodriguez has another MVP-caliber season and their pitching stays relatively healthy, the Mariners — projected for 87.5 wins — will keep pressure on both Houston and Texas in our MLB AL West Division preview. Count on it.
ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
Los Angeles Angels (+4500)
Realistically speaking, the Angels’ division hopes vanished the moment two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani signed with the crosstown Dodgers. The Angels still have Mike Trout, but the three-time AL MVP has been limited to just 237 games over the last three seasons due to injuries.
Expect Trout to surface in MLB trade rumors if the Angels get off to a poor start under new manager Ron Washington.
Los Angeles has tinkered with its roster, adding veteran relievers Robert Stephenson and Adam Cimber. But general manager Perry Minasian has yet to make a splash. Notably, the Angels have been connected to Blake Snell and Montgomery, both of whom remain unsigned.
At the moment, the Angels are projected for just 72.5 wins.
LONGSHOT
Oakland Athletics (+20000)
Between relocation rumors and ownership’s lack of spending, the Athletics are a mess. Their estimated $40.2 million payroll is far and away the lowest in MLB, $35 million below the next closest team (Pittsburgh).
The Athletics did little to improve their roster over the offseason, leaving them again forced to rely on a who’s who of veteran castoffs and minor-league call-ups. Pitchers Alex Wood and Ross Stripling, acquired in an offseason trade with the San Francisco Giants, were the most notable additions coming off back-to-back 100-loss seasons.
As such, expectations are extremely low. The Athletics are a 200/1 longshot to win the AL West and have the lowest projected win total of any MLB team at 56.5, according to MLB betting lines.
Even in the most optimistic scenario, it is hard to see Oakland cracking .500, let alone winning the division. The Athletics are not anywhere close to being a consistent winner. Clearly, their eye is on the future, whether that’s 2025 or 2045.
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