Who Will Win The AL West In 2005?

[Crash Course]

Here's what we said last year: http://www.netshrine.com/vbulletin2/showthread.php?t=13854

Who is your 2005 winner, and why?

[robls]

Oakland will win the division in a surprise too most people.
Oakland will have more balanced team then last season. Score a lot more runs. Give up a few more. The key will be their bullpen.
Anaheim/LA/California whatever... 2nd. Seattle 3rd. Texas 4th.

[MaxBishop]

I was going to post my reasons for picking the A's, but the I read ROBLS' post and he said pretty much what I was going to say.

[hopbitters]

With Anaheim crippled by injuries and Oakland unable to get their starting pitchers off the block, Texas rolls through the division. Seattle battles for the worst record in baseball.

[llewdor]

I voted A's, but I'm not confident.

I think the Rangers and Mariners will be about equal this year (depending largely on how Seattle reacts to the inevitable loss of Richie Sexson to injury, and how they arrange their OFs), with the Angels finishing ahead of both of them.

The A's could then slot into any one of the four positions, pushing the other three up or down depending where they go. I'm more confident than I perhaps should be in Oakland's pitching, so I'm putting them first.

But it would not surprise me to see them finish 12 games back and in fourth (I'm expecting a fairly tight division).

[Crash Course]

This will be a close one between Texas and the Angels, IMHO. Of out respect for Buck, I voted Texas.

Oakland will finish last. Beane will jump ship to try and buy the Nationals.

[KCBOOMER]

I picked Anaheim based on known talent, but the A's scare me.

[Stageon]

Angels have too much not too win it. A's will be close again, but miss the wildcard to due to BoSox. Texas is a disappointment after a promising comeback year. Ichiro will get 300 hits and Seattle will still be horrible :D

[hmrsf]

I went with the Angels. I feel dumb for picking Seattle last year. :rolleyes:

[RascalJones]

Angels. They've done the most to improve their team....at least in my book.

[Bubba]

Angels just have too much. Including enough in the wings to offset any injuries. Just too strong and too deep. But A's will surprise.

Bubba

[schernak]

It hurts me to say this, but I think the Angels have a great chance at repeating. The A's could put it together, but I think they have a better shot at the Wild Card.