AL West MLB Division 2022 Standings and Playoff Race Preview

The Competitive AL West Division in MLB

The American League West division has developed into one of the most competitive in Major League Baseball over the past decade. With teams like the Houston Astros, Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Angels, Oakland Athletics, and Texas Rangers, the AL West features a good mix of offensive powerhouses and pitching-rich ball clubs.

Houston Astros Lead the Pack

The Houston Astros have emerged as the team to beat in the AL West recently. Winners of two of the last three World Series titles in 2017 and 2019, the Astros claim some of baseball's biggest stars like Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, and Justin Verlander.

The Astros have won the AL West division title four times in the last five seasons (2017-2019, 2021). Their strong core of players and deep pitching staff makes Houston the favorites to take the division crown again in 2022.

Competition Rising to Challenge Astros

The Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels both look to challenge the Astros this season for AL West supremacy. The Mariners pulled off a blockbuster trade to land Cincinnati Reds star Jesse Winker, bolstering an offense that already included young phenom Julio Rodriguez.

The Angels will go as far as two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani can take them. With Ohtani's ability to dominate games both at the plate and on the mound, Los Angeles could certainly make a push towards the top of the AL West standings should he put together another MVP-caliber season.

Athletics and Rangers Still Building

The Oakland Athletics and the Texas Rangers find themselves in a bit of rebuild mode, but both clubs are laying the foundation for future success. The A's have long been able to develop young pitching talent, and their offensive core led by Sean Murphy and Tony Kemp scraps for runs.

Meanwhile the Rangers spent over $500 million this past offseason looking to accelerate their rebuild. Adding stars Corey Seager and Marcus Semien signals Texas wants to make noise within the next couple seasons.

2022 AL West Race Should Thrill

With so much talent condensed into one division, expect the race for the 2022 AL West crown to come down to the wire. The Astros will be pressed to hold off the rising Mariners and Angels, while even the Rangers and Athletics have enough young talent soon to be a threat.

The battles between AL West foes should provide plenty of memorable moments for baseball fans this season. With exciting superstars like Ohtani captivating audiences and potential close finishes in the standings, the AL West continues to prove itself as one of baseball's must watch divisions.

FAQs

Who won the AL West in 2021?

The Houston Astros won the AL West division title in 2021 with a 95-67 record. It was their fourth division championship in five seasons.

What teams are in the American League West division?

The AL West consists of the following five teams:

• Houston Astros
• Los Angeles Angels
• Oakland Athletics
• Seattle Mariners
• Texas Rangers

Who is predicted to win the AL West in 2022?

The Houston Astros are favored by most experts to repeat as AL West champions in 2022. Their talented roster led by Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, and Justin Verlander makes the Astros the division frontrunners.

What other AL West teams could challenge the Astros in 2022?

The Los Angeles Angels and Seattle Mariners are viewed as the top contenders to knock off the Astros. The Angels have two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani while the Mariners made big offseason additions like acquiring All-Star Jesse Winker to bolster their lineup.