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The Meaty Preview: 2009 AL West

I was told by Big Eisy that I had used the word "if" too much in my other predictions. I promised him I would not say "if" in my AL West preview. If I say if, I promised that I would give him a big hug for every time I say if. So if you see the word if on this page, please let him know because if I say it and he doesn't know, he'll go bezerk. Rounding up our Meaty Preview of the 2009 Baseball season, have the Angels, A's, Mariners and Rangers. Say goodbye to the Seattle Mariners. Despite the fact that they got Junior back, I don't see them making any noise in the pre, mid, or post season. King Felix will have a baller year but that is all they have. I hope Griff hits 40 bombs from the DH spot. The Oakland A's will be in third. Matt Holliday will still put up solid numbers but his keeper status was severely ruined by leaving the launching pad at Mile High. The Texas Rangers and LA Angels will fight to the finish and it will come down to the wire between these two teams, but I have to put the Angels in first. The Rangers don't have a stud pitcher to go along with their massive amounts of hitting talent. Ian Kinsler, Josh Hamilton, and Nelson Cruz will all have stellar years but that will not be enough because you need some depth in the rotation which the Rangers lack. And speaking of lack, the Angels pitching staff with a returning John Lackey and Ervin Santana will keep a firm hold on the team and with the addition of Bobby Abreu in the offseason, look for the Angels to be sitting pretty come October.

BP - 4.14.09