AL West Winner Odds & Predictions 2024: No End in Sight for a Floundering Mariners Lineup

• The Astros have tied the Mariners for the AL West lead

• Kyle Tucker has been on the IL since June 3

• Max Scherzer complained of arm fatigue after his last start

The AL West has gotten a lot tighter over the last two weeks. The Astros and Mariners sit tied atop the standings, while the Rangers trail by just four games. All three contenders will likely add help ahead of next week’s trade deadline, meaning the race could get even closer over the next few months.

That could also mean their odds could lose value, making now a great time to get your bet on the AL West winner.

We have deep-dived into the division to determine who will be crowned champion this season. We are looking at the current sportsbook odds, offseason roster moves, projected stats, and more to give you the inside track on how to bet on the AL West.

We will continue to update this weekly so you know you always have the most up-to-date odds and information.

Let’s start by looking at the odds for each team.

AL West Winner Odds

Odds taken from BetMGM Sportsbook. Use our code WSNSPORTS at BetMGM and place your bets: Get Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets!*
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AL West Predictions and Favorites to Win

Houston Astros (-125) at BetMGM

After a brutal start to the season, the Astros are once against the betting favorite to win the AL West. The reigning division champs have closed the gap on the Mariners and seem posed to quickly pass them by after taking two of our three from Seattle to open the second half of the season. 

Once again, the Astros look like World Series contenders despite having Kyle Tucker and Justin Verlander on the IL. Verlander is going through throwing sessions as he prepares to return, but Tucker could remain out for some time. The star outfielder has been out with a leg injury since June 3 and is still not able to do any running. 

Houston has no shortage of big bats, but an extended absence from Tucker takes away one of their best. He was on pace to set season-high totals in 2024, with nineteen home runs, 40 RBIs, and ten stolen bases across 60 games. His slow recovery could lead to the team adding a bat at the trade deadline, giving them an extra boost until Tucker can get back on the field.

Bet on Houston Astros (-125) at BetMGM   

Seattle Mariners (+125) at BetMGM

The Mariners' double-digit division lead feels like a lifetime ago. Since June 19, the team has a 9-18 record, winning just one series. The cold streak came just as the Astros began to heat up, leading to their massive lead dissolving rapidly. 

There is no question what is wrong with the Mariners. While their pitching is among the best in baseball, their offense ranks among the worst, ranking dead last in batting average. Those struggles have led to the team losing seven of the 11 games where their starting pitcher registered a quality start. 

While Seattle could add some bats ahead of the trade deadline, we think the lineup is beyond saving. The team has released Ty France, JP Crawford is on the IL with a wrist injury, and Julio Rodriguez is day-to-day after crashing into the outfield wall. 

The good news is that J-Rod appears to have avoided a serious injury. However, the injury came amid the star’s hottest month of the season, where he posted a .375 batting average to go with four home runs and eight RBIs. How he returns from the unexpected time off could determine if the Mariners are able to capture an AL Wild Card spot in 2024.

Bet on Seattle Mariners (+125) at BetMGM   

Texas Rangers (+800) at BetMGM

The Rangers finally seem to be turning things around heading into the second half of the season. They are 11-6 since June 30, keeping them withing striking distance of the division lead. There is no question that the Rangers have the talent to win the AL West, but we aren’t ready to bet on that outcome quite yet.

One significant cause for concern in Arlington is Max Scherzer. The veteran made his season debut late last month, going 1-3 with a 3.99 ERA across six starts. While those are solid numbers, they are trending in the wrong direction, with Scherzer posting a 5.21 ERA across four starts in July.

The bad news for Scherzer doesn’t stop at his recent results. The three-time Cy Young winner reported feeling arm fatigue after his last start, signaling that another trip to the IL could be in his future. With Jacob deGrom still unable to face hitters, it seems likely the team could be without both for an extended period in the season’s second half.

There is some good news for the Rangers’ maligned pitching staff. 26-year-old Cody Bradford has begun a minor-league rehab assignment as he looks to return after an incredible start to the season. The 26-year-old posted went 3-0 with a 1.40 ERA across three starts this season.

Bet on Texas Rangers (+800) at BetMGM   

Los Angeles Angels (+50000) at BetMGM

The Angels season has been as ugly as expected, and all signs indicate that they will be major sellers at the trade deadline. LA will have two in-demand pitchers in starter Tyler Anderson and closer Carlos Estevez, as well as some impressive bats in Taylor Ward, Kevin Pillar, and Luis Rengifo. All those pieces could speed up the Angels’ rebuilding process, which has already begun.

While their season is all but over, things aren’t as bad as they may seem for the Angels. The team has found something in top prospects Zach Neto and Logan O’Hoppe, who play prominent roles in the team’s offense. While the pair will be critical building blocks for LA, they may no longer be the only ones.

25-year-old Jo Adell appears to be figuring things out in July. He has 15 home runs, 46 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases despite owning a batting average below .200. His plate discipline has been a significant problem, but Adell has put together an impressive seven-game hit streak in July. He has a solid .362 OBP for the month, signaling that the young star may be close to solving his issues at the plate.

Bet on LA Angels (+50000) at BetMGM   

Oakland Athletics (+50000) at BetMGM

Don’t look now, but the A’s have won six of their last nine games. They opened the second half of the season with a series win over the Angels and managed to steal the opening game of their series with the Astros. While their hopes for an AL West title are long over, their success indicates their future may not be as bleak as many believed.

There are a lot of players that the A’s will likely be dealing with at the trade deadline, but Brent Rooker could end up being the most important. The 29-year-old broke out in his first full big league season last year and made the All-Star game in 2024. His .290 average, 22 home runs, and 67 RBIs make him an attractive piece for a lot of contenders and could lead to a big return.

Bet on OaklandAt hletics (+50000) at BetMGM   

AL West Winner - My Pick

Houston Astros (-125) at BetMGM Sportsbook

The Astros are the only bet worth taking at this point in the season. Seattle’s offensive woes are sending them tumbling down the standings, while the Rangers’ pitching doesn’t look like it will improve any time soon. Houston has the most balanced roster in the division, and they will likely be making trades over the next week to get even better.

While Texas is a tempting bet, we need to see them keep winning consistently before putting any money on them. With Scherzer struggling and deGrom still a ways off from returning, there may not be enough time for the Rangers to fix things in 2024.

Bet on HoustonAs tros (-125) at BetMGM   

Previous AL West Winners

The Astros have dominated the AL West over the last decade, winning it six times during that span. The Rangers won twice, and the A’s captured one during the COVID-shortened season.

Below are the last ten AL West titles and how they fared in the playoffs.

How to Read MLB Odds

MLB futures odds work the same as any other bet. Each bet includes a number following the team or player, preceded by a plus or minus sign. 

A plus sign before the number usually indicates an underdog, which is common with futures bets. If the odds next to a team or player have a plus sign, that is the amount that you will win for every $100 you bet.

A minus sign usually indicates the favorite to win, though they are rarely seen for future bets. A minus sign in front of the odds means that is how much you need to bet to win $100.

For example, you bet $100 on the Rangers +200 to win the AL West. If they win the division, you will win $200. 

If you aren't looking to bet $100 at a time, don't worry! Check out our odds calculator to help you determine potential winnings based on different wager amounts.

How to Choose the Best Sportsbook for Betting on the AL West

Are you ready to start betting on the AL West but unsure where to start? If so, we have you covered with our sportsbook reviews. Below is a comparison between some of the industry’s top online sportsbooks.

*Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms.

More MLB Division Betting Guides

• AL East

• AL Central

• NL West

• NL Central

• NL East