In what is a weekly segment, let's take a look around the rest of the AL West, which includes your Texas Rangers getting healthy at the right time and seeming ready to create some space in the division.
1. Texas Rangers (26-24) — The Rangers got Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz back from the DL on Monday, and will be getting Julio Borbon back soon as well as some possible pitching help with Tommy Hunter and Scott Feldman. With that punch back in the middle of the Rangers lineup and the incredible clip at which the starting rotation has been performing lately, it seems as though the Rangers are set to separate themselves from a really tightly packed division. After winning their series with the White Sox, they'll look to win another this weekend as they host the Royals.
2. Los Angeles Angels (26-25) — Sitting a half-game back from the Rangers, it seems as though the Angels would be a huge threat to the Rangers, but I don't see it that way. The Angels' offense is struggling just as the Rangers' was. The Rangers' struggles, you'd think, would end soon as Hamilton and Cruz get back their rhythm. The Angels' lineup just isn't that fearsome. And frankly, right now, the Rangers' rotation is pitching better than any other in the division even though they supposedly have the worst rotation in a pitching-heavy division.
3. Seattle Mariners (24-25) — The Mariners are one of the hottest teams in baseball right now, having won 8 of their last 10 games. The slate's about to get a little tougher as the Mariner's host the Yankees for three games starting Friday. The Mariners' offense is still basically non-existent, but the starting rotation is really good with the likes of Felix Hernandez and rookie phenom Michael Pineda and the recent tear by Justin Vargas. The offense is not good enough to be a serious threat in the long run.
4. Oakland A's (23-27) — Everyone's sexy pick to challenge the Rangers this year has not looked so good so far this season. It's the same story as the Mariners with an anemic offense despite the addition of Josh Willingham. The rotation was set to carry the A's as well, but they lost Dallas Braden for the year to an injury and the rest of the guys haven't quite performed up to expectations.
