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American League power rankings: Who’s the team to beat?

By Steven Kubitza

(Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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Houston Astros
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA – MARCH 10: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros looks on during the spring training game against the New York Mets at FITTEAM Ballpark of The Palm Beaches on March 10, 2020 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

The American League features a few clear favorites in 2020.

The Houston Astros were the story of the offseason before MLB had to go into shutdown back in March. Now the season is finally starting and the Astros will get to avoid any hate from fans by playing in empty stadiums.

In terms of actual baseball the Astros remain a favorite to win the American League. Yet there are other top contenders and dark-horse candidates in what will be a unique season. A team expected to finish last could get on a nice run and sneak into the postseason with 30-35 wins.

Let’s look at how each division stacks up, at least on paper, before the action gets underway in just a few weeks.

AL West

5. Seattle Mariners

The Mariners remain in a painful rebuilding mode and had 94 losses in 2019. The team has not been in the postseason since 2001 and playing 40 games against AL West opponents does not bode well for Seattle.

4. Texas Rangers

The Rangers had a below-average year in 2019, finishing 78-84. The front office focused on adding pitching this offseason with the additions of Corey Kluber, Kyle Gibson, and Jordan Lyles. Snagging Todd Frazier was a nice consolation as well.

3. Oakland Athletics

The A’s have been to two straight AL Wild Card Games in consecutive 97-win seasons. The team just can’t seem to get over that hump and has not won a playoff series since 2006. They fall just behind the Angels as long as Mike Trout doesn’t opt out.

2. Los Angeles Angels

A short season may be a blessing for an Angels team that hasn’t won more than 85 games since 2014. The team’s success depends on if Mike Trout indeed plays, but the addition of Anthony Rendon will also make a huge difference to help jump the A’s.

1. Houston Astros

The Astros are the clear favorite in the division. The team seemed to get off rather easy for the sign-stealing scandal and the core remains in place for another World Series run. Losing A.J. Hinch should not be enough to derail the season after taking some time off to let the hate from around baseball simmer down a bit.

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