2023 AL West Odds: Astros Biggest Division Favorites in Majors

Spring Training for Major League Baseball (MLB) is approaching fast, with pitchers and catchers set to report to their respective camps in Florida and Arizona on February 15th, and even a few days earlier for those participating in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

So, without further do, let’s gear up for the upcoming season and break down the different divisions starting in the American League’s Western Division with none other than the Houston Astros.

The Astros are favored at +675 by World Series odds to become the first team to repeat as World Series champions since the New York Yankees in 2000. Additionally, the Astros are -175 to capture the AL West for a third straight season and sixth in the past seven years. These are the shortest odds of any division favorite at online sportsbooks.

Verlander Leaves Hole in Rotation

On paper, the 2023 Astros don’t look quite as imposing as the group that won an AL-best 106 regular-season games and dominated the West with a 16-game lead over the second-place Seattle Mariners. Houston lost the 2022 Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander in free agency, but luckily, they have a deep rotation. Nevertheless, this is still a major loss.

First baseman Yuli Gurriel, the 2021 AL batting champion, also left in free agency, but the Astros have filled his shoes with former Chicago White Sox first baseman and AL MVP Jose Abreu. He hit .304 with 75 RBIs last season, but his power appears to be waning at age 36, with only 15 home runs, which is a career-low.

The Seattle Mariners, with MLB betting odds of +250 to win the West, ended MLB’s longest active playoff drought last season by securing a Wild Card spot and defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in that round before being swept by Houston in the ALDS. The Mariners had a quiet off-season in terms of free agency, but traded for outfielder/designated hitter (DH) Teoscar Hernandez from the Blue Jays and second baseman Kolten Wong from the Milwaukee Brewers. The Mariners will also have a full season of 2022 mid-season trade acquisition Luis Castillo, an All-Star pitcher.

The Texas Rangers (+700) made a strong move in their rotation this offseason by acquiring two-time Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom as well as pitcher Andrew Heaney and Jake Odorizzi via trade. Although, it is worth noting that Texas hasn’t finished with a winning record since 2016.

The Los Angeles Angels (+900) have two of the best players in baseball in Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout but as usual, pitching is a question mark (outside of the dual-threat marvel Ohtani).

Finally, the Oakland A’s (+10000) aren’t even trying to be competitive in 2023 as they will have by far the lowest payroll in the entire league. Getting a new stadium in Oakland or Las Vegas appears to be all ownership cares about right now.