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Astros, Mariners or Angels? Who has the best lineup in the AL West?

BySeth Carlson|
Nov 5, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros left fielder Yordan Alvarez (44) flips his bat after hitting a three run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the sixth inning in game six of the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros left fielder Yordan Alvarez (44) flips his bat after hitting a three run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the sixth inning in game six of the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
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Oct 15, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez (44) pops out to end the game in the eighteenth inning against the Houston Astros during game three of the ALDS for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez (44) pops out to end the game in the eighteenth inning against the Houston Astros during game three of the ALDS for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

2023 Seattle Mariners projected lineup and wRC+

  1. Julio Rodriguez, CF (137 wRC+)
  2. Ty France, 1B (128)
  3. Eugenio Suarez, 3B (108)
  4. Teoscar Hernandez, RF (123)
  5. Kolten Wong, 2B (110)
  6. Cal Raleigh, C (110)
  7. J.P. Crawford, SS (105)
  8. A.J. Pollock, DH (103)
  9. Jarred Kelenic, LF (105)

After ending the then-longest active playoff drought in North American sports last season, the Seattle Mariners once again project to have a formidable lineup in 2023. Every player listed is projected to finish as an above-average run producer, which is something not even the the Astros can boast (for now).

ZiPS has the Mariners winning 85 games this season, but that feels low because this team feels better than last year’s. This should be a playoff club again in 2023, which would mark just the second time Seattle makes the postseason in back-to-back years, dating back to 2000 and 2001.

2023 Los Angeles Angels projected lineup and wRC+

  1. Taylor Ward, LF (128 wRC+)
  2. Mike Trout, CF (168)
  3. Shohei Ohtani, DH (143)
  4. Anthony Rendon, 3B (133)
  5. Hunter Renfroe, RF (124)
  6. Brandon Drury, 2B (102)
  7. Jared Walsh, 1B (111)
  8. Logan O’Hoppe, C (108)
  9. Luis Rengifo, SS (100)

The Angels haven’t made the playoffs since 2014, which is now tied with the Detroit Tigers for the new longest active postseason drought in MLB. The good news for the Angels is they have the two best players in baseball and a decent lineup surrounding them in 2023. Gio Urshela, whom the Angels also acquired this winter, should also find playing time this season.

Save for one average producer (Rengifo), the rest of this lineup could be good enough to at least propel the Angels to .500 ball in 2023, if not better, should their pitching improve.

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