AL West Week 5 Review: It's The Astros To Lose As The Sub-.500 Club Enters It's Sixth Week In Action

Of course it's too soon to call the division for the Astros. It's May 8, for Pete's sake. But this week, they took three of four from Arch Enemy the Rangers and then won a series on the road against the second place Angels. Actually, you can't blame Astros fans for looking over at the Indians, Yankees and Orioles and wondering how they will stack up. No one in the rest of the Al West is even over .500.

Astros (21-11)

Has there been a better week than last week for Astros fans in a long, long time? They knocked around the Rangers and then flew out to Orange County and won a series. Stories also surfaced indicating they are looking for another ace to create Wonder Twin superpowers with the Koufaxian Dallas Keuchel. It's all; beautiful in Bayou City right now.

And looky here, there are more on the way.

Angel (16-17)

Mike Trout sat out games with a sore hammy. The Angels lost a series on the road in Seattle. Then they went home and lost a series against the Astros. .The Halos had a real chance to close the gap this week, but it didn't happen. They are back to being King of the Sub-.500s. And they may not have that for long with the Mariners playing better.

Trout's hamstring checked out OK in MRI. Here's a good statistical look at where the Angels are killing themselves on the field. 

Mariners (15-17)

Who has the second-best record in the AL West in the last 10 games, just one worse than the Astros? That's right, your Seattle Mariners. Last week they won two series at home against the Angels and Rangers. Here come the Mariners, indeed. If the pitching can improve, that batting lineup is formidable enough to propel them...somewhere. At least to being the new King of the Sub-.500s..

More injury woes - Hisashi Iwakura has been bumped back in the rotation with a sore left knee.

Athletics (14-17)


After losing a series on the road against the Twins and looking bad while doing it, the A's won a series at home against the Tigers with two dramatic come-from-behind wins against Francisco Rodriguez. Those "veteran placeholders" for the young dudes in the minors came through, including Adam Rosales and Jed Lowrie. But young dude Ryon Healy, who has struggled mightily, hit a game-winning, series-winning homer last night against the Tigers.

And then there's A.J. Puk.

Rangers (13-19)

It didn't go well, The Rangers went 2-5 last week and, as noted, lost a series to Hated Enemy Astros, They also lost Cole Hamels for two months, which is a far worse loss.

They are frustrated. They also have the worst record in the American League outside of the Blue Jays and Royals. That makes them the best of the last place teams. That's not a title anyone wants.



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