AL West run down, FINAL

AL West Predictions
1.Angels
2.Mariners
3.Rangers
4.Athletics

Who'da thought the Texas Rangers would have the offensive explosion they brought forth with the wrath of a hundred suns, a thousand volcanoes, a million little 10 year guaranteed light bulbs. I know none of the experts did, i know none of my pals did. Everyone understood their acquisition of Josh hamilton would mroe than likely pay off, though they gave up their most promising pitching prospects for the guy. But, Ruthian numbers? Roided up Juan Gonzalez or Manny Ramirez with the Dodgers type numbers? Never.

Imagine the number of records he could have broken if he would have stayed out of that home run derby and away from all-star festivities records, people will forget 5 years from now. Who even won the home run derby, does anyone even remember? Exactly. (well i do, but i'm not going to say whom, because i don't think anyone else does)

Josh hamiltons statistics this season are projected around the same for this season, and I think he'll get some of the same assistance as last year despite the loss of Milton Bradley to the Cubs. The rangers are going to score just as many runs this year as last year. They're doing some changing with the diamond to make room for their up and coming, highly touted prospect, Elvis Andrus. I believe it to be a bunch of hoop-la, kind of like what the royals did with their past can't miss short stop Angel Berroa of like 8 years ago. He amounted to pretty much nothing, and I have a feeling the Elvis "the king of nothing" Andrus, will do much of the same. The change of michael young to third for the accomodation of Elvis, i think will work in the rangers favor for now. Young is a gold glove fielder, his range is starting to decrease with his age increasing, and if Elvis has any kind of glove, this move could prove great for their pitching staff. Youngs shift takes the 3rd base responsibility away from the injury prone Hank Blalock, so he may hopefully play an entire season for once in his career, though only as a DH. Their young catcher Salt(his name is too long) should provide his finally developed hitting prowess from either side of the plate and have a big year. Coaches are pleased with what he has been bringing to spring training so far, and it seems they have given him the reigns of the pitching staff and the starting gig. They have a young powerful talent with Chris Davis at first base, and the outfield should be stellar. Nelson Cruz it seems has finally put it together at the age of 29 and finally figured out how to focus in the batters box. Expect Cruz to have a similar year in his first full season as Josh Hamilton did last year, but with a higher batting average.

The pitching staff as they did last year, will struggle. They had the leagues worst ERA, gave up the most runs, and by most runs I mean they gave up more runs than they scored; They scored the most runs in the majors! I believe it to be pretty bad when your staff ace is a healthy 34 year old Kevin Millwood with an ERA over 5! They have a young catcher do the driving behind the plate, who does not have a full season under his belt yet, and a relatively young defense up the middle. Kinsler isn't exactly a gold glove 2nd basemen and they have a rookie starting at short stop. The only thing that could help is the fact they have a gold glove caliber player at 3rd base now; a player who gives them some consistency. Their bullpen shouldn't be terrible, but they need to figure out who is going to close all season. Franky Francisco has been dubbed this years closer, but how long he'll hold on to that position is a wait and see kind of approach. CJ wilson or Eddie Guadardo could take over the role at anytime. And just because they are good enough to be closers, does not mean that they will be good set up men for the season either. The pitching is going to struggle this year like last year, but they will have a marked improvement in team ERA.

The Rangers are going to be either a cellar dweller for most of the season, or they are going to slug the opposition all year. It is going to be worst or wild card for this team. I predict one of the worst.