For the first time in a long time, the World Series winner, who just happened to be the newest team in the division, hailed from the Al West. The Houston Astros show no signs of backing down from a potential dynastic run through baseball over the next half-decade. The rest of the division is fighting back, though. Each of the four runner-ups appeared to make at least one improvement during the offseason.

These are the AL West power rankings.

5. Oakland Athletics

Try naming a player on the Opening Day roster of the 2018 Oakland Athletics - we'll wait.

Jonathan Lucroy instantly becomes one of the team's best players as he looks to recapture his All-Star form. If the team is lucky, Stephen Piscotty will take some steps towards becoming a star this year. Otherwise, a fourth consecutive appearance a the bottom of the AL West standings seems likely.

4. Texas Rangers

It looks like the Bartolo Colon signing is not going to work out, an unsurprising development for a rotation in need of a positive surprise. Cole Hamels is an ace, but Mike Minor is not. Tim Lincecum may play a major role, a dicey proposition. The most fascinating player, however, may be Joey Gallo. His feast or famine ways can keep the Rangers alive in the AL West - or doom them altogether.

3. Seattle Mariners

Is this the year Seattle takes the next step? That question is asked on an annual basis, yet the answer remains elusive. Their biggest offseason move was of the sentimental variety, bringing Ichiro Suzuki back to his true MLB home. "King Felix" has now been the undisputed ace in Seattle for a decade, but has never pitched in a playoff game.

Ending the game's longest postseason drought - 16 years and counting - would bring some fans back to the AL West confines of Safeco Field.

2. Los Angeles Angels

Justin Upton, Ian Kinsler, Shohei Ohtani: The Angels are doing everything in their power to prove to Mike Trout that LA is the place to be. What they haven't meaningfully addressed is their rotation.

Every year, it seems the Angels are struggling to keep their pitching staff healthy. That's all about luck, though. The talent of Trout is enough alone to carry the team to a Wild Card, if not the AL West crown.

1. Houston Astros

Last year, the Astros won the AL West for the first time. This year, fresh off their first World Series, they should dominate it. Houston is better than the team that won it all last year. The pitching staff will get a full year from Justin Verlander, as well as new addition Gerrit Cole. Meanwhile, the lineup is locked and loaded once again, although veteran leader Carlos Beltran is gone. Luckily, everyone has championship experience now.
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