The AL West has — more or less— played out as expected in the season's unofficial first half.
However, with the upcoming trade deadline and roughly 44 percent of the schedule remaining, there is plenty of time for unexpected twists and turns. Below are some of my notes for each of the five AL West clubs as we enter the first day of the All-Star break.
Astros
Depending on who you ask, the Astros may have the best team in baseball. But they are firmly in the conversation, thanks to contributions from the entire roster.