MLB Futures Bets: American League West Picks (2023)

by Matthew Buss |
Feb 16, 2023

The Houston Astros have been incredible since their league switch in 2013, reaching the postseason in 7 of their 10 American League seasons. Houston has been able to turn the American League West upside down, winning the division five of the last six seasons. While they did win the AL West by 16 games in 2022, this season may not be as easy for them. The Mariners, Angels and Rangers have all made upgrades during the offseason, showing that they all think of themselves as â€œwin nowâ€ franchises.

With the extra incentives given to division winners, going for the title is more important than ever. Are any of the original American League West teams ready to make a genuine run at the 2022 World Series Champions?

Best AL West Division Winner Bet

Below are the odds of each American League West team winning the division, courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

1.) Houston Astros (-180)

The reigning World Series Champions are set up for another run at the division in 2023, but it will not be as easy. Their pitching staff, which was best in the American League, is mostly unchanged with the exception of Cy Young winner Justin Verlanderâ€™s departure to New York. Offensively, the team added first baseman JosÃ© Abreu to help improve a lineup that was 3rd in the American League in runs in 2022. Being that the 2023 season will feature fewer matchups between division rivals, it will be important for Houston to take care of business when they have their opportunities.

2.) Seattle Mariners (+310)

After finally making the postseason in 2022, (a drought that led all of Major League Baseball) the Mariners are ready to take that next step. Having a full season of Luis Castillo should help an already top-tier pitching staff, ranking 8th in the Majors in ERA and 10th in Batting Average Against in 2022. The Seattle offense did lose Mitch Haniger but added a plethora of talent this offseason. Former Blue Jay outfielder Teoscar Hernandez joins Kolten Wong, Tommy La Stella and A.J. Pollock as the newest additions to the Seattle offense. The Mariners were in the bottom half of the Majors in runs in 2022, so they are hoping that these offseason acquisitions will help pick up the slack.

3.) Texas Rangers (+800)

Texas brought in Jacob deGrom, who is one of the best pitchers in baseball when healthy. The Rangers also signed starters Nathan Eovaldi and Andrew Heaney, overhauling a rotation that was bottom 10 in ERA in the Majors in 2022. It is important to remember that they revamped their middle infield last season, spending big on Corey Seager and Marcus Semien. Ultimately, it was not close to enough, as the Rangers finished 68-94 and 38 games out of first place. In truth, the Texas offense is not the issue, finishing 8th in home runs and 12th in runs in 2022. If this revamped pitching staff can turn it around, this team may be competing for a playoff spot come September.

4.) Los Angeles Angels (+1000)

The team with arguably the two best players in baseball has not been able to put it together in recent years, but 2023 has the chance to be different. With an emphasis on offense in the offseason, Los Angeles managed to add the power bat of Hunter Renfroe as well as some talented depth players in infielders Gio Urshela and Brandon Drury. Tyler Anderson, a starting pitcher signed from the Dodgers, joins Shohei Ohtani and Patrick Sandoval at the top of the Los Angeles rotation. The Angels got off to a solid start in 2022, having a lead in the AL West until mid-May before falling off the pace.

5.) Oakland Athletics (+20000)

Oakland is coming off one of their worst seasons in franchise history and they appear to be a few years off from genuinely contending. They traded away catcher Sean Murphy and got a haul of players from the Atlanta Braves, which will hopefully help them a few seasons down the road. It is a total rebuild for Oakland, but the silver lining may be that their prospects and young players will get valuable Major League experience over the next couple of years.

Prediction: The young talent and impressive pitching staff of the Seattle Mariners may finally be enough to take their first division title since 2001. Houston will not go away quietly, given their talented and experienced roster. The Angels have two of the best players in baseball and have made some offseason moves, but their track record is enough to warrant some hesitation.

Pick: Seattle Mariners (+310)

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