2020 AL West Preview - Big Green Machine

We were almost there. The crack of the bat, the pop of the glove, and the chatter of the crowd was filling spring training parks, airwaves, and TV Screens. We were all excited for the return of our favorite game and America's pastime. Then COVID-19 burst onto the scene and everything changed both in life and in fantasy sports.

For the abbreviated 2020 MLB Season, LOEGM has opted to change the format from a Weekly H2H Points schedule to a 6 week points race in each division with an abbreviated 3 round playoff.

As we sit just days away from the first pitch of the 2020 season we wanted to do a preview of each division and give our predictions for Winners and Challengers beginning with the AL West.

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Last year, the LOEGM AL West was dominated by the one-loss Seattle Mariners (Mikel) and the one year turnaround wonder Oakland Athletic's (Aaron), who went 17-4 on his way to an ALCS appearance.

This year things look a bit different in the ALW. Three of the five teams (including SEA) are under new management, and there has been a flurry of activity. Texas went the way of the prospector and Seattle did a complete retool, having traded most of their top hitters.

As such, it is likely a three way battle between Houston, Oakland, and Anaheim. Looking at their rosters, here is my prediction for the 2020 AL West's top 3.

#1 - Oakland Athletics

As noted prior, Aaron has built one of, if not the strongest teams in the entire league. Following a trade with STL he has added Rendon to a lineup that included Bellinger, Albies, Story, and Bryant. When you pair a deep lineup with a rotation that includes Walker Buehler, Stephen Strasburg, and Mike Clevinger among others, its pretty easy to see how one could project Aaron to run away with his first AL West Division Title.

#2 - Houston Astros

In 2019, Christian was the victim of circumstance having the 20-1 Mariners and the bursting juggernaut Athletics in his division. With Seattle's retooling and the COVID-induced scoring changes, the door has opened in 2020 for a closer race of WC teams in the ALW.

While Christian's offense is a good mix of youth and aging veterans, his strength is in his pitching staff. Alongside a SP staff anchored by Gerrit Cole and Carlos Carrasco, Christian has built a young and vibrant stable of relievers and hybrids including Ryne Stanek, Giovanny Gallegos, and Zac Gallen that should propel him to measured success for a few seasons, though he'll face Oakland at least twice next year as we resume H2H play.

#3 - Anaheim Angels

Anaheim is the first team in our 2020 preview to be hit by the COVID-19, having lost Posey for the duration of the year. However, thanks to some savvy moves, including a Trout trade, this team is poised for long term success with the likes of Robles, Chapman, Riley, Montas, and Soroka paving the way for a bright future. He will have to duke it out with Houston, but there is a good chance if his guys perform to their capabilities that we could see the Angels overcome Houston and play for a WC spot. Regardless, thanks to their youth and healthy farm system, the LAA GM has tremendous prospects as he seeks to unseat Oakland as the king apparent atop the ALW.