2011 MLB Preview: AL West
By Tim Ryan
3. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2010 record: 80-82, 3rd place) — Before last season, the Angels were winners of the AL West in five of the previous six seasons, averaging 95 wins, so last year’s 80-win third place finish was surprising, somewhat unfamiliar territory. Many assumed they would reload in the offseason by landing either Carl Crawford or Adrian Beltre, but neither happened… which leads me to the following question: Is Alberto Callaspo really their opening day third baseman? That’s not a gaping hole, that’s a ditch that says ‘Rikishi Was Here’. Good luck getting production out of the 7-8-9 spots. I’m not sure what to think of their starting pitching after Dan Haren and Jered Weaver. Ervin Santana did throw 222 innings last year, but he’s proved to be useless each season following one in which he’s gone 200-plus. If Scott Kazmir is as awful as he was last year, they’ll have the option of throwing Hisanori Takahashi into the rotation. He’s destined to shine after leaving the Mets. And I know it’s barely the middle of March, but the Angels already experienced their biggest win of the season by adding “Rally Monkey Chia Pet” day to the calendar. However, they still need to whip up a witty counterpunch to these awesome t-shirts. Prediction: 83 wins
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The official song for this division is “Tumbthumping,” a thoughtful form of inspiration and motivation for the Seattle Mariners:
Last Year’s AL West Predictions
[Photos via Getty]