Prediction: Texas Rangers will make the postseason in 2015

Sep 26, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of the field during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Oakland Athletics at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Baseball is so close I can literally taste it! I can feel my wallet getting smaller already after getting a subscription to MLB.TV. Since we are so close to the start of the season I thought I’d have some fun and give my predictions for the AL West.

Most teams in the AL west were pretty busy, to say the least, this offseason.

Our Rangers made a few moves trading for Ross Detwiler, Anthony Ranaudo and Yovani Gallardo, just to name a few. With health and more depth at starting pitching, we are even better than last year. Let’s remember a lot of people thought the Rangers would win the West last year. Adrian Beltre thinks the Rangers are good enough to win the West this year. Regardless, I’m glad the Rangers are flying under the radar this year!

Texas Rangers

Let’s take a look at some of the moves that our division rivals made this offseason.

The Oakland Athletics surprisingly traded away Josh Donaldson for Brett Lawrie. They also obtained Tyler Clippard. They lost Jon Lester and Jeff Samardzija. My first thought is that they are worse than last year. That is still my thought, but I’ve learned over the years to not doubt the A’s. They are scrappy and are never out of the game.

The Houston Astros acquired Evan Gattis and Dan Straily, they also signed Jed Lowrie. I see a few more home runs but still see a lot of strikeouts for them. They are still a young team that I don’t see making the postseason this year, but they are definitely headed in the right direction. The fine folks at Climbing Tal’s Hill are of the opinion the Astros own Texas and while I see the Astros being improved I have to politely disagree that they own Texas and the past few years have said otherwise.

The Seattle Mariners signed Nelson Cruz, and as a Rangers fan…trust me when I say they won’t care for his defense! Although my guess is he will mostly DH. He will certainly help their offense. They also signed Rickie Weeks and traded for LHP J.A. Happ. The Mariners will be the team to compete with this year I believe, with their pitching and offense.

The Los Angeles Angels didn’t have to do much as they had a 98 win team and won the division last year. They did trade for Andrew Heaney and also Matt Joyce. Heaney will more than likely be the fifth starter. Although the Angels are not a team to be taken lightly, especially with Mike Trout in the lineup, I do not see them winning the division this year. I don’t see Jered Weaver or C.J. Wilson having a great year this year either.

MY PREDICTIONS: The Texas Rangers make the postseason with getting a wild card.

Mariners 96-66

Rangers 91-71

Angels 87-75

Athletics 85 -77

Astros 80-82

In my opinion, the AL West is the most competitive division in baseball from top to bottom. I don’t see the Rangers winning the division, but I do think that they take one of the wild card spots, even under rookie manager Jeff Banister. I think his ‘never ever quit’ mantra will really resonate with this team!

With our health back to normal with the exception of Profar, the Rangers are automatically better. With our offseason trades, we are even better. There is no reason to believe that our Rangers are a last place team again this year. This will be an exciting season to watch not only as a Rangers fan but a baseball fan in general.

Who do you think wins the division? Do you think the Rangers make the postseason?

Next: Beltre Signed Through 2016