Which MLB team is likeliest to win its division?(Counterpoints)

It's the Angels In a runaway

Johnny Damon says the Angels are the best team in baseball. And that's with half their lineup on the D.L. Just imagine how scary the Halos will be when Garret Anderson, Tim Salmon et al. come back.

Yes, it's safe to pencil in the Angels for the playoffs. Be ready to mark it in Sharpie by August, when they could be doing a Secretariat to the rest of the West field.

Did you see what Anaheim did to the Red Sox last week? How the patchwork lineup beat up on Pedro Martinez? How the first half A.L. MVP, Vladimir Guerrero, drove in nine runs in one game? How young guys such as Chone Figgins and Casey, Kotchman looked like champions in a playoff atmosphere?

Sure, the Angels might not be able to outscore teams all season. That's why they'll acquire a starting pitcher or two before the trade deadline. Sure, there might be more injuries. With that depth, it probably won't matter.

And, hey, the rest of the division is turning to mush. The fork is stuck deep in the Mariners. The A's have pitching but won't have Eric Chavez until at least mid-July. And can the Rangers add enough pitching to keep up? Doubtful.

No, the gap is going to widen. The West is a one-horse race at the moment, and that horse seems to be picking up speed.--Tom Gatto