Los Angeles Times

A look at the American League teams and their predicted order of finish

AL WEST

HOUSTON

2018 5/8 103-59, First

Last year in playoffs 5/8 2018

The loss of veteran starters Dallas Keuchel and Charlie Morton put a sizable dent in the rotation, but the Astros still have two dominant starters in Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole. Houston's bullpen is as deep as any in baseball. A lineup featuring George Springer, Alex Bregman, Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa is strong, though just a shade less potent than the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. The Astros may not be World Series favorites, but they have enough to win their third consecutive division title.

2 5/8 OAKLAND

2018 5/8 97-65, Second

Last year in playoffs 5/8 2018

The rotation is again a major question mark, but the Athletics won 97 games while going through essentially two full rotations last season, and they appear to have good depth again with 21-year-old left-hander Jesus Luzardo, who

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