2019 MLB Standings: American League West

Baseball season is well underway and sports bettors in New Jersey have everything to play for. A highly competitive season awaits with each of the six divisions in the MLB. These include the American League East, American League West, American League Central, National League East, National League West, and National League Central.

American League West features the following selection of popular MLB teams, including:

• The Houston Astros

• The Los Angeles Angels

• The Oakland Athletics

• The Seattle Mariners

• The Texas Rangers

Spring training takes place between February and early March 2019. These warmup matches pit all the MLB teams against one another in anticipation of a competitive baseball season. Baseball bettors and bookmakers keenly observe the performance of players and teams during their spring training sessions to determine how to assign the correct odds to MLB teams. Another useful measure of performance is the previous season’s final standings.

Who Is Leading the American League West Division?

The 2018 American League West Division ended with the following team placements:

• The Houston Astros – W103 – L 59 – PCT .636

• The Oakland Athletics – W 97 – L 65 – PCT .599

• The Seattle Mariners – W 89 – L 73 – PCT .549

• The Los Angeles Angels – W 80 – L 82 – PCT .494

• The Texas Rangers – W 67 – L 95 – PCT .414

The Houston Astros clinched the division for 2018 and the Oakland Athletics clinched the wild card for 2018. The American League West division featured two teams with positive run differentials, including the Astros (+263) and the Athletics (+139). This differential indicates that both these teams scored considerably more runs than the runs scored against them.

What Are Bookies Saying about the American League West Division?

Recall that the American League features three divisions: American League East, American League West, and American League Central. A total of 15 teams are competing in this division, 5 of which are in the American League West. The Houston Astros have proven themselves to be a powerful force in baseball, winning the World Series in 2017 when they won 4-3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the best of 7 playoffs.

Although the Houston Astros were unable to repeat their World Series triumph in 2018, they are still a powerful force in baseball. Their offensive line up is intact and their pitchers are on fire. No doubt the Houston Astros are eager to right the wrongs of their losses against 2018 World Series winners, the Boston Red Sox. Bookmakers are equally convinced that the Astros have a strong chance of propelling through the MLB 2019 season. In fact, many bookmakers give the Astros the best shot of making it to the playoffs. Some bookies are more bullish on the Houston Astros than the Boston Red Sox.

It's clear that the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox have the best rosters in MLB, but they also play in the same division. Chances are either the Yankees or the Red Sox will receive a wildcard, but the Houston Astros appear to be one of the safest bets in MLB to play in October. Of all the teams currently in contention, the Houston Astros, the New York Yankees, and the Boston Red Sox are neck and neck. The Minute Made Park champions won the AL West Division in 2017 and again in 2018, making them hot favorites for the 2019 season.

Leading bookmakers have the Houston Astros alone at the top of the American League West Division. As the frontrunners, the Astros are unsurpassed in terms of favorability to win their division, and advance through the latter stages of the season. The 2017 World Series champions improved their record with an additional two wins (103 – 59) before losing to the Boston Red Sox at the 2018 World Series. What's particularly impressive about this team is its depth in the starting rotation. In terms of potential winners for the American League, the Houston Astros, Oakland Athletics, Chicago White Sox, and New York Yankees are in the top four.

In Las Vegas for example, bookmakers have given Houston Astros the top over/under odds for wins this season at 97.5, with the Baltimore Orioles at just 59.

Odds for the American League West Division Heading into the MLB 2019 Season

888sport New Jersey has posted the following odds for the American League West division for the MLB 2019 season (subject to change):

• Houston Astros – -560

• Los Angeles Angels – +800

• Oakland Athletics – +900

• Seattle Mariners – +3300

• Texas Rangers – +5000

Put simply, if you placed a $500 bet on the Houston Astros, you would win $590. If you decided to go with a long shot in the form of the Seattle Mariners or the Texas Rangers, a $500 bet would pay $17,000 and $25,500 respectively.

Odds for The American League MLB 2019 Season League Winner including the Playoffs

• Boston Red Sox – +265

• Houston Astros – +265

• New York Yankees – +265

• Cleveland Indians – +700

• Oakland Athletics – +1600

• Los Angeles Angels – +1800

*Odd subject to change

The aforementioned odds clearly indicate that the Houston Astros are in a three-way tie with the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees as favorites to win the American League.

Who are The Top American League Cy Young Award Winners for MLB 2019?

• Chris Sale – +300 (Boston Red Sox)

• Corey Kluber – +375 (Cleveland Indians)

• Luis Severino – +1000 (New York Yankees)

• Gerrit Cole – +1100 (Houston Astros)

• Justin Verlander – +1100 (Houston Astros)

*Odds subject to change

Who are the American League MVP Award Winners for MLB 2019?

• Mike Trout – +180 (Los Angeles Angels)

• Mookie Betts – +600 (Boston Red Sox)

• Alex Bregman – +1000 (Houston Astros)

• Aaron Judge – +1000 (New York Yankees)

• J.D. Martinez – +1200 (Boston Red Sox)

• Jose Ramirez – +1600 (Cleveland Indians)

*Odds subject to change

Who is Likely to Score the Most RBIs in MLB 2019?

• J.D. Martinez – +600 (Boston Red Sox)

• Nolan Arenado – +1000 (Colorado Rockies)

• Khris Davis – +1100 (Oakland Athletics)

• Giancarlo Stanton – +1400 (New York Yankees)

• Joey Gallo – +1600 (Texas Rangers)

*Odds subject to change

Which Pitcher is Likely to Score the Most MLB Wins in 2019?

• Chris Sale – +600 (Boston Red Sox)

• Corey Kluber – +800 (Cleveland Indians)

• Max Scherzer – +800 (Washington Nationals)

• Justin Verlander – +1100 (Houston Astros)

• Gerrit Cole – +1200 (Houston Astros)

• Luis Severino – +1200 (New York Yankees)

*Odds subject to change

Which Player Is Likely to Hit the Most Homers this Season?

• Giancarlo Stanton – -139 (New York Yankees)

• Aaron Judge – +105 (New York Yankees)

• Bryce Harper – +105 (Philadelphia Phillies)

• Rhys Hoskins - -139 (Philadelphia Phillies)

• J.D. Martinez – -115 (Boston Red Sox)   

• Mike Trout – -115 (Los Angeles Angels)

• Joey Gallo – -106 (Texas Rangers)

• Khris Davis – -125 (Oakland Athletics)

*Odds subject to change

MLB 2019 is well underway. The ranking team in the American League West division is the Houston Astros by a long margin. They will be eager to come out swinging against World Series champions, the Boston Red Sox, as they pile on the runs this season.