For the better part of the past six seasons, the American League’s West Division has been dominated by the Houston Astros. Not only have the Astros controlled the division, but they have made it to the American League Championship Series in each of those seasons. This year, coming off of another World Series Championship, Houston was the favorite again.
However, pressure was building behind them. The Seattle Mariners reappeared in the postseason last year and really tested the Astros in that playoff series. The Texas Rangers made big splashes in free agency and appeared to be much improved as well. The division still belonged to the Astros, but there was certainly more competition.
The Rangers took control of the division early in the 2023 season. They set the pace, using an explosive offense and enough pitching to lead the way. The Astros hung around, and the Mariners underachieved for much of the first half. At the trade deadline, Texas and Houston made splashes by both adding a future hall-of-fame starter (Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander). Seattle started to make their run as well shortly after the break.
Eventually, the Rangers’ lead diminished and it seemed as if the Mariners were primed to take control. However, they faltered and the Astros took advantage. Today, as we stand, the Astros lead is one game over the Rangers and just one and a half games over the Mariners. With two weeks to play, the division is largely unsettled.
Let’s take a look at each team’s path to the AL West crown.
HOUSTON ASTROS
The Astros are currently one game up on the Rangers and one and a half games up on the Mariners. Despite struggling against the A’s this weekend, they have six games against the Royals in the next week and a half. They do have a tough series with Baltimore in between, but only three divisional games left (three with Seattle). Schedule-wise, the Astros have the easiest path. Additionally, they have more experience than anyone in big moments. The Astros are still the current favorites to win this division.
TEXAS RANGERS
The Rangers controlled the division for much of the season. However, August and September’s struggles led to them falling behind. They have surged as of late, winning five in a row to get back in the mix. They have one more with Toronto, who they are directly competing with in the Wild Card race. The schedule is highlighted with seven games left against the Mariners, as well as series against the Guardians, Red Sox, and Angels. It is not the worst-case schedule-wise, but those head-to-head games against the Mariners should eliminate one or the other.
SEATTLE MARINERS
The Mariners underachieved for a long stretch but figured it out after the All-Star Break. They briefly took control of the division, but recent struggles saw them shift back to third place. Outside of a series against Oakland, Seattle has three against both the Dodgers and Astros, as well as the aforementioned seven against Texas. It is the most difficult schedule of the three, and the team is struggling the most. If Seattle wins the West, they will have earned it.
MY PICK
I’m sticking with the Astros for now. Those seven games between Seattle and Texas could eliminate one team, or make it difficult for either to make up ground. As long as Houston takes care of business against inferior competition (which has not been a given, recently) they will have a big advantage in this division race. I think Houston will run the West once again and get that much-needed first-round bye in the postseason.
Dawson Eiserloh is the co-host of “RP3, D-Loh & Meche” which is broadcast weekdays (11-1) on ESPN 103.7 Lafayette and 104.1 Lake Charles — Southwest Louisiana’s Sports Station.