MLB Midseason Report: AL West

AL West Standings 7-2-08
1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 50-34
2. Oakland Athletics 45-38
3. Texas Rangers 44-41
4. Seattle Mariners 32-51

The West has been nothing short of wild this season. The Angels are right where we expected in first, but the other three teams are the big story. The Mariners are one of this season's biggest disappointments. With the trade for ace Erik Bedard, Seattle was supposed to have a lethal rotation. Their bullpen was the best in the business last season, but has been atrocious this season. They cannot hit the ball at all. I bet if you put it on a tee for them, they would still struggle. The Mariners will unload a bunch of guys at the trade deadline and finish last in this division. Oakland has been a surprise team this year. Seven games over .500 in July for a team expected to have a losing record. Oakland has very solid pitching, but lacks a strong offense. If the A's can pick up a bat or two maybe the! y can make a run at the Angels. If not, they will be home again in October. Texas is just the opposite of Oakland, these guys have a lethal lineup, but porous pitching. If these guys pick up two starters and a reliever and their lineup stays hot, Texas could be a surprise second half team. Do not count on it though. The AL West has been the Angels division for many years now, and it is going to stay that way this year. LAA is the class of the AL West. Here is how the standings will look at the end of the season.

1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim- AL West Champions
2. Texas Rangers
3. Oakland Athletics
4. Seattle Mariners

Tomorrow I will give you the NL East Midseason Report. For those of you looking for NBA and NHL Free Agency Talk, I will have that next week after I finish the MLB Midseason Reports.