AL West Preview: Rangers look to repeat, the underdog Astros, Ohtani-less Angels

It’s time to take a trip out west in our 2024 MLB season preview series, this time to the American League West, home of the 2023 World Series defending champion Texas Rangers. After winning their first title in franchise history, the Rangers will look to become the first team to repeat as champions since the New York Yankees dynasty of the 90’s. However, the Houston Astros are looking to live up to their projections and will try to get back to the title dance despite being titled “underdogs” after their ALCS disappointment. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman then discuss how the Seattle Mariners will need an a MVP like caliber season from Julio Rodriguez to help them get over the letdown of last season, whether Mike Trout can return to form for the now Shohei Ohtani-less Los Angeles Angels and the mess that is unfortunately the Oakland Athletics. The guys also talk about the latest update to Gerrit Cole's injury and whether Tommy John surgery might be inevitable for the ace pitcher. 2:43 Gerrit Cole injury update 7:51 Oakland Athletics 1953 Los Angeles Angels 34:33 Seattle Mariners 46:25 Texas Rangers 59:19 Houston Astros [ Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2024 MLB season ] Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQ Follow Jake @Jake_Mintz Follow Jordan @J_Shusterman_ 🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app: 🎧 Apple Podcasts 🎧 Spotify 🖥️ YouTube 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram: 🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social 🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://x.com/CespedesBBQ 📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq ⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://x.com/Jake_Mintz 🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_