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2017 American League West Preview: A Three Team Race

By Rob Hill

Sep 30, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano (22) runs the bases after hitting a two-run homer against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano (22) runs the bases after hitting a two-run homer against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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#2 Texas Rangers 

No there will not be a repeat in Texas in 2017. Texas may possibly be the best all-around team in the A.L. West, but once again, the top half of this division is possibly the most top heavy in all of baseball. A full season of catcher Jonathan Lucroy, and Mike Napoli back in his third stint with Texas will bolster an already impressive lineup.

A blend of youth and veteran experience from Texas’s starting lineup provides so much depth one through nine. It is very hard to find any holes with this Texas team but if their had to be one it would be keeping their players healthy. The loss of their ace, Yu Darvish, all of last season did not seem to phase them too much until the playoffs kicked in.

They will need him, Martin Perez, and A.J. Griffin to make 25-30 starts in order for them to remain in the thick of things going into September. The Rangers bullpen does not consist of any elite relief pitchers, but a group of pitchers that have blazing fastballs that can tally up the strikeouts. A deep lineup, a talented rotation, and an underrated bullpen, but keeping all of those players on the field will be the make for the Rangers in 2017.

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