The AL West Division is a three-way race according to the oddsmakers and a small upset could very well be in the making. Discuss the AL West predictions and betting info in the MLB forums.

AL West Odds courtesy of Bookmaker.com

Texas Rangers (-120)
Los Angeles Angels (+220)
Oakland Athletics (+220)
Seattle Mariners (+2100)

Texas Rangers

Texas is +435 to win the AL Pennant and +700 to win the World Series.

The defending AL Champions have plenty of questions. Playoff hero Cliff Lee left for the bigger pastures of Philly, leaving a big hole in the rotation. Closer Neftali Feliz is a candidate to fill the void, but he’ll likely ending up staying in the pen.

The bats were fourth in the AL last year (787 runs scored), but Vladimir Guerrero is gone and stars Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz and Ian Kinsler have trouble staying healthy. Can Texas become the first team since the 1989 A’s to win the World Series after being the runner-up the year before? This writer says no.

Prediction: Under 87 wins

Los Angeles Angels

L.A. is +1500 to win the AL Pennant and +3500 to win the World Series.

The Angels had their three-year string of winning the AL West snapped last year (going 80-82). It was thought that owner Arte Moreno would break open the checkbook and sign a big name like Carl Crawford, but there was a trade for Toronto’s Vernon Wells instead. 

L.A.’s top four starters (Jered Weaver, Dan Haren, Ervin Santana, Joel Pineiro) are very solid and the return of injured first baseman Kendry Morales, along with Wells, will boost the mediocre offense (ninth in the AL). Manager Mike Scioscia remains one of the best in the business and their division odds are very enticing.

Prediction: Over 84 wins

Oakland Athletics

Oakland is +1500 to win the AL Pennant and +3500 to win the World Series.

Oakland led the AL in ERA last year (3.56), mostly due to their top-ranked starters (3.47). The top four starters return with Trevor Cahill (18-8) the ace ahead of Dallas Braden (11-14), Gio Gonzalez (15-9) and Brett Anderson (7-6). All had an ERA of 3.50 or lower.

The offense was the big problem last year, 11th in the AL (663 runs scored). New additions include outfielders Josh Willingham and David DeJesus, plus DH Hideki Matsui. They should do enough to aid the pitching staff and challenge in the division.

Prediction: Over 84 wins

Seattle Mariners

Seattle is +3500 to win the AL Pennant and +7500 to win the World Series.

Felix Hernandez comes back to top the rotation, but there’s not much else to brag about. New manager Eric Wedge may wish he was still back in Cleveland and that’s saying something.

Prediction: Under 70 wins