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Astros, Mariners, and more: Bold predictions for every AL West team in May

By Chris Timoney

Apr 29, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) and catcher Jonah Heim (28) celebrate after defeating the New York Yankees at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) and catcher Jonah Heim (28) celebrate after defeating the New York Yankees at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports /
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Angels, Red Sox, Shohei Ohtani
Apr 17, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) pitches during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

May AL West bold prediction: Los Angeles Angels

For the Angels outlook in May, I am very tempted to do a write-up the 1978 classic “Same Time Next Year.” Cue Alan Alda. It’s looking very much like another season with two of the best players in baseball that will end in mediocrity.

Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout have been as billed as explosive, dynamic and exciting. The rest of the roster, not so much. Of the regular starters only Trout (.308) is hitting over .300 and, aside from Ohtani and Trout, only third baseman Gio Urshela (.299) is batting over .260. On the mound isn’t much different than the batting lineup after Ohtani. Patrick Sandoval (2-1, 3.16 ERA) has had a nice start to the season but, after him, there’s a lot of high ERAs and not much to pin hopes on. The Angels recently called up right-hander Chase Silseth and have high hopes for him. Silseth throws a solid 99 mph fastball along with a productive slider. He made two relief appearances last week and I think the Angels are going to rely on the youngster a lot more in May.

The list of suitors and projected return for Ohtani, should the Angels trade him, is as impressive as a that of an 18th century European royal. Angels fans, unfortunately, will have to sit and wait out the “Shohei Watch” knowing there’s no way they could get the equivalent in return. As for the Angels front office and team, they don’t get paid to sit on their hands and wait. They have to take action, which means planning for the future. In this case, the immediate future.

The Angels have a tough schedule in May and, unlike the rest of their AL West counterparts, they don’t get to play the A’s. As the kids say, “The Angels are gonna Angel,” which translates as disappointment all around. For May, I see the Angels slipping further behind the Rangers and Houston as they try to groom Chase Silseth to be the next star on the mound after Ohtani.

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