The Angels have descended upon us again...

The smell of fresh cut grass, hot dogs, and Coors light has overtaken the sinuses of all who enter Angel stadium once again. No single team has managed to bring nostalgia to me year after year as the Angels have managed to do, this year will mark my 25th year as a fan (my first game was at age 5 with Grandpa Gene). And an exciting year it promises to be, the Angels are on the heel of their 3rd consecutive AL West title and have brought some more talent in to make another solid run at the playoffs. Torii Hunter was the marquee addition to an already stacked outfield, he is great defensively and will put some more power in the lineup (as of this article he already leads the Angels with 4 HR's). Kotchman and Kendrick could have breakthrough seasons and the pitching lineup will be solid once Lackey and Escobar get healthy. Chone Figgins is on eof the best leadoff men in baseball, we will see if he can keep up his stellar on base percentage.



As far as the other teams in the AL West... they suck. Alright, I am sure Seattle will put up a decent fight this year and could very likely end up in the playoffs, they have a tight starting rotation and a lot of power potential in their lineup but lack depth, a few injuries will drop them out of contention. The A's are in a down cycle of their Moneyball philosophy and will be scrappy but ultimately lack overall talent, they should come in 3rd in Al West. The Rangers have a powerful lineup and solid bullpen but again have no pitching, they are my pick for cellar dweller this year. Obviously I am biased here, but I am also a realist... the West will be won in Anaheim again this year, after that it's anyones guess, but I will be damned if the Chowderheads go to the WS again. Go Angels!