2016 MLB Picks and Predictions: American League West Expert Predictions & Forecast

2016 MLB Picks and Predictions: American League West Expert Predictions & Forecast: The American League West has certainly undergone a changing of the guard in recent years. The typically cellar dwelling Houston Astros are suddenly a force to be reckoned with, and the Seattle Mariners have gone from afterthought to legitimate threat. Meanwhile, perennial contenders like the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Oakland Athletics are now at a disadvantage when it comes to talent. Granted, nothing is set in stone, and injuries and in-season acquisitions can have a way of changing a division race. That being said, there is a good chance that there will be some new blood atop the AL West standings for the second year in a row.

2016 MLB Picks & Predictions: American League Central Expert Predictions & Forecast

1. Houston Astros

After being a perennial cellar dweller for years, the Astros are now one of the most talented teams in the majors, loaded with a blend of power and speed. Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve are probably the best middle infield in the game, and Carlos Gomez and George Springer are both 30-30 candidates in the outfield. On the mound, they have defending Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel leading the rotation, and they added Ken Giles to the backend of the bullpen. With more prospects like A.J. Reed and Matt Duffy on the way, Houston should only continue to improve.

2. Texas Rangers

Injuries have decimated the Rangers in recent years, but Texas is pretty healthy heading into 2016, and the lineup can be potent when at full strength. Prince Fielder, Adrian Beltre and Shin-Soo Choo form a steady core, and the newly-acquired Ian Desmond and second-year player Rougned Odor should only help the cause. The pitching gets questionable after Cole Hamels, but the Rangers play in a park built for offense, and they have the bats to take advantage.

3. Seattle Mariners

The additions of Nori Aoki and Adam Lind to a lineup that already boasts Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz and Kyle Seager should give the Mariners their best offense in quite some time. On the flip side, the rotation isn’t going to intimate anyone unless Hisashi Iwakuma can return to form and Taijuan Walker can live up to his potential. If Seattle can find some decent arms behind Felix Hernandez, the Mariners can contend for the playoffs in 2016. If not, they will flounder around the .500 mark.

4. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

The Angels have the best player in the game in Mike Trout, and despite his decline, Albert Pujols still has some pop in his bat. The roster gets sketchy after that, with shortstop Andrelton Simmons probably the next best piece of the puzzle. Granted, there is some talent in the rotation, but Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson have been battling injuries over the last couple of seasons, and Garrett Richards is coming back from an injury. The Angels have a bloated payroll, but unfortunately, they don’t have that much talent to show for it.

5. Oakland Athletics

After years of being perennial playoff contenders despite a modest budget, the Athletics swung for the fences a few years ago by trading for multiple starting pitchers. The gamble didn’t pay off, and Oakland is still paying the price. You can’t let your best players continually walk in free agency when you no longer can replenish them with high-level prospects. Outside of starter Sonny Gray, there isn’t a player on this roster with star-caliber potential. It is going to be a long year as the Athletics try to rebuild the farm system to regain the stability they once had.

Get updated MLB odds on all of today’s games plus expert MLB predictions from our top handicappers.