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American League West

Division of Major League Baseball


Division of Major League Baseball

FieldValue
titleAmerican League West
leagueAmerican League
sportMajor League Baseball
founded
teams5
championSeattle Mariners
(2025; 4th title)
most_champsAthletics (17)

(2025; 4th title)

The American League West is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. The division has five teams as of the 2013 season, but had four teams from 1994 to 2012, and had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams currently only reside along the West Coast and in Texas, historically the division has had teams as far east as Chicago and Minnesota. From 1998 (when the NL West expanded to five teams) to 2012, the AL West was the only MLB division with four teams.

History

When MLB split into divisions for the season, the American League, unlike the National League, split its 12 teams strictly on geography. The six teams located in the Eastern Time Zone were all placed in the AL East, and the remaining six were placed in the AL West.

When the second incarnation of the Washington Senators announced their intention to move to the Dallas–Fort Worth area for the 1972 season and become the Texas Rangers, American League owners voted to switch the Rangers with the Milwaukee Brewers, who began as the Seattle Pilots in 1969. The Chicago White Sox asked the AL to move from West to East, citing that five of the original eight American League franchises were in the East. The Oakland Athletics and Minnesota Twins objected to the White Sox' request; the Twins also did not want the Brewers to leave the West.

In 2013, the Houston Astros went from the National League Central to the AL West. That move gives all six MLB divisions an equal five teams and both leagues an equal 15 teams each.

Division membership

Current members

  • Athletics – Founding member (as the Oakland Athletics)
  • Houston Astros – Joined in 2013; formerly from the NL West (1969–1993) and NL Central (1994–2012)
  • Los Angeles Angels – Founding member (as the California Angels)
  • Seattle Mariners – Joined in 1977 as an expansion team
  • Texas Rangers – Joined in 1972; formerly of the AL East (as the Washington Senators (1961–1971))

Former members

  • Chicago White Sox – Founding member; moved to the AL Central in 1994
  • Kansas City Royals – Founding member; moved to the AL Central in 1994
  • Minnesota Twins – Founding member; moved to the AL Central in 1994
  • Milwaukee Brewers – Founding member (as the Seattle Pilots); moved to the AL East in 1972, then to the AL Central in 1994. Later moved to the NL Central in 1998.

Membership timeline

:::::** Place cursor over year for division champion or World Series team.**

AL West DivisionYears6970717273747576777879808182838485868788899091929394959697AL West DivisionYears9899000102030405060708091011121314151617181920212223242526
California AngelsAnaheim
Angels
Chicago White Sox
Kansas City Royals
Minnesota Twins
Oakland Athletics
Seattle
PilotsMilwaukee
Brewers
Texas Rangers
Seattle Mariners
Anaheim AngelsLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimLos Angeles Angels
Oakland AthleticsAthletics
Texas Rangers
Seattle Mariners
Houston Astros
Team not in division Division Won World Series Division Won AL Championship

: Creation of division due to 1969 expansion, Kansas City and Seattle added. : Seattle franchise moved to Milwaukee, becoming the Brewers. : Washington Senators moved to Dallas–Fort Worth, became Texas Rangers and switched divisions with Milwaukee, which moved to the AL East. : Seattle added in the 1977 league expansion. : Chicago, Kansas City, and Minnesota moved into the newly created AL Central due to the 1994 realignment. : In 1997, California Angels become Anaheim Angels. In 2005, Anaheim Angels become Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. In 2016, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim become Los Angeles Angels. : Houston switches leagues from the NL Central. : Athletics relocated to West Sacramento, California in 2025, and dropped a location moniker. They plan on moving again to Las Vegas in 2028. : See Houston Astros sign stealing scandal.

Champions by year

  • Team names link to the season in which each team played
YearWinnerRecord%Playoff Results
1969Minnesota Twins 1961thru19711}}"Minnesota Twins (1)97–65.599Lost ALCS (Orioles) 3–0
1970Minnesota Twins 1961thru19711}}"Minnesota Twins (2)98–64.605Lost ALCS (Orioles) 3–0
1971Oakland Athletics 1968thru19811}}"Oakland Athletics (1)101–61.627Lost ALCS (Orioles) 3–0
1972Oakland Athletics 1968thru19811}}"Oakland Athletics (2)93–62.600Won ALCS (Tigers) 3–2
Won World Series (Reds) 4–3
1973Oakland Athletics 1968thru19811}}"Oakland Athletics (3)94–68.580Won ALCS (Orioles) 3–2
Won World Series (Mets) 4–3
1974Oakland Athletics 1968thru19811}}"Oakland Athletics (4)90–72.556Won ALCS (Orioles) 3–1
Won World Series (Dodgers) 4–1
1975Oakland Athletics 1968thru19811}}"Oakland Athletics (5)98–64.605Lost ALCS (Red Sox) 3–0
1976Kansas City Royals1}}"Kansas City Royals (1)90–72.556Lost ALCS (Yankees) 3–2
1977Kansas City Royals1}}"Kansas City Royals (2)102–60.630Lost ALCS (Yankees) 3–2
1978Kansas City Royals1}}"Kansas City Royals (3)92–70.568Lost ALCS (Yankees) 3–1
1979California Angels1}}"California Angels (1)88–74.543Lost ALCS (Orioles) 3–1
1980Kansas City Royals1}}"Kansas City Royals (4)97–65.599Won ALCS (Yankees) 3–0
Lost World Series (Phillies) 4–2
1981Oakland Athletics 1968thru19811}}"Oakland Athletics (6)†64–45.587Won ALDS (Royals) 3–0
Lost ALCS (Yankees) 3–0
1982California Angels1}}"California Angels (2)93–69.574Lost ALCS (Brewers) 3–2
1983Chicago White Sox1}}"Chicago White Sox (1)99–63.611Lost ALCS (Orioles) 3–1
1984Kansas City Royals1}}"Kansas City Royals (5)84–78.519Lost ALCS (Tigers) 3–0
1985Kansas City Royals1}}"Kansas City Royals (6)91–71.562Won ALCS (Blue Jays) 4–3
Won World Series (Cardinals) 4–3
1986California Angels1}}"California Angels (3)92–70.568Lost ALCS (Red Sox) 4–3
1987Minnesota Twins 1987thru19931}}"Minnesota Twins (3)85–77.525Won ALCS (Tigers) 4–1
Won World Series (Cardinals) 4–3
1988Oakland Athletics1}}"Oakland Athletics (7)104–58.642Won ALCS (Red Sox) 4–0
Lost World Series (Dodgers) 4–1
1989Oakland Athletics1}}"Oakland Athletics (8)99–63.611Won ALCS (Blue Jays) 4–1
Won World Series (Giants) 4–0
1990Oakland Athletics1}}"Oakland Athletics (9)103–59.636Won ALCS (Red Sox) 4–0
Lost World Series (Reds) 4–0
1991Minnesota Twins 1987thru19931}}"Minnesota Twins (4)95–67.586Won ALCS (Blue Jays) 4–1
Won World Series (Braves) 4–3
1992Oakland Athletics1}}"Oakland Athletics (10)96–66.593Lost ALCS (Blue Jays) 4–2
1993Chicago White Sox1}}"Chicago White Sox (2)94–68.580Lost ALCS (Blue Jays) 4–2
§No playoffs due to 1994–95 Major League Baseball strike
1995Seattle Mariners3}}"Seattle Mariners (1)*79–66.545Won ALDS (Yankees) 3–2
Lost ALCS (Indians) 4–2
1996Texas Rangers 1994thru20021}}"Texas Rangers (1)90–72.556Lost ALDS (Yankees) 3–1
1997Seattle Mariners3}}"Seattle Mariners (2)90–72.556Lost ALDS (Orioles) 3–1
1998Texas Rangers 1994thru20021}}"Texas Rangers (2)88–74.543Lost ALDS (Yankees) 3–0
1999Texas Rangers 1994thru20021}}"Texas Rangers (3)95–67.586Lost ALDS (Yankees) 3–0
2000Oakland Athletics1}}"Oakland Athletics (11)91–70.565Lost ALDS (Yankees) 3–2
2001Seattle Mariners3}}"Seattle Mariners (3)116–46.716Won ALDS (Indians) 3–2
Lost ALCS (Yankees) 4–1
2002Oakland Athletics1}}"Oakland Athletics (12)103–59.636Lost ALDS (Twins) 3–2
2003Oakland Athletics1}}"Oakland Athletics (13)96–66.593Lost ALDS (Red Sox) 3–2
2004Anaheim Angels 2002thru20041}}"Anaheim Angels (4)92–70.568Lost ALDS (Red Sox) 3–0
2005Los Angeles Angels1}}"Los Angeles Angels (5)95–67.586Won ALDS (Yankees) 3–2
Lost ALCS (White Sox) 4–1
2006Oakland Athletics1}}"Oakland Athletics (14)93–69.574Won ALDS (Twins) 3–0
Lost ALCS (Tigers) 4–0
2007Los Angeles Angels1}}"Los Angeles Angels (6)94–68.580Lost ALDS (Red Sox) 3–0
2008Los Angeles Angels1}}"Los Angeles Angels (7)100–62.617Lost ALDS (Red Sox) 3–1
2009Los Angeles Angels1}}"Los Angeles Angels (8)97–65.599Won ALDS (Red Sox) 3–0
Lost ALCS (Yankees) 4–2
2010Texas Rangers1}}"Texas Rangers (4)90–72.556Won ALDS (Rays) 3–2
Won ALCS (Yankees) 4–2
Lost World Series (Giants) 4–1
2011Texas Rangers1}}"Texas Rangers (5)96–66.593Won ALDS (Rays) 3–1
Won ALCS (Tigers) 4–2
Lost World Series (Cardinals) 4–3
2012Oakland Athletics1}}"Oakland Athletics (15)94–68.580Lost ALDS (Tigers) 3–2
2013Oakland Athletics1}}"Oakland Athletics (16)96–66.593Lost ALDS (Tigers) 3–2
2014Los Angeles Angels1}}"Los Angeles Angels (9)98–64.605Lost ALDS (Royals) 3–0
2015Texas Rangers1}}"Texas Rangers (6)88–74.543Lost ALDS (Blue Jays) 3–2
2016Texas Rangers1}}"Texas Rangers (7)95–67.586Lost ALDS (Blue Jays) 3–0
2017Houston Astros1}}"Houston Astros (1)101–61.623Won ALDS (Red Sox) 3–1
Won ALCS (Yankees) 4–3
Won World Series (Dodgers) 4–3
2018Houston Astros1}}"Houston Astros (2)103–59.636Won ALDS (Indians) 3–0
Lost ALCS (Red Sox) 4–1
2019Houston Astros1}}"Houston Astros (3)107–55.660Won ALDS (Rays) 3–2
Won ALCS (Yankees) 4–2
Lost World Series (Nationals) 4–3
2020††Oakland Athletics1}}"Oakland Athletics (17)36–24.600Won ALWC (White Sox) 2–1
Lost ALDS (Astros) 3–1
2021Houston Astros1}}"Houston Astros (4)95–67.586Won ALDS (White Sox) 3–1
Won ALCS (Red Sox) 4–2
Lost World Series (Braves) 4–2
2022Houston Astros1}}"Houston Astros (5)106–56.654Won ALDS (Mariners) 3–0
Won ALCS (Yankees) 4–0
Won World Series (Phillies) 4–2
2023Houston Astros1}}"[Houston Astros (6)](2023-houston-astros-season)**90–72.556Won ALDS (Twins) 3–1
Lost ALCS (Rangers) 4–3
2024Houston Astros1}}"Houston Astros (7)88–73.547Lost ALWC (Tigers) 2–0
2025Seattle Mariners3}}"Seattle Mariners (4)90–72.556Won ALDS (Tigers) 3–2
Lost ALCS (Blue Jays) 4–3

† – Due to the players' strike, the season was split in two. The Athletics won the first half and defeated the second-half winner, the Kansas City Royals, to win the division.

§ – Due to the 1994–95 Major League Baseball strike, starting on August 12, no official winner was declared. The Texas Rangers were leading in winning percentage at time of the strike.

†† – Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the season was shortened to 60 games. By virtue of the eight-team postseason format used for that season, division runner-up Houston also qualified for the playoffs.

** – The Astros and Rangers finished tied for first place with identical records. The Astros were declared division winners, due to having won the season series against the Rangers, and the Rangers received the wild card berth.

Other postseason teams

:See List of American League Wild Card winners (since 1994)

YearWinnerRecord%GBPlayoff Results
2000Seattle Mariners3}}Seattle Mariners91–71.562.5Won ALDS (White Sox) 3–0
Lost ALCS (Yankees) 4–2
2001Oakland Athletics1}}Oakland Athletics102–60.63014Lost ALDS (Yankees) 3–2
2002Anaheim Angels 2002thru20041}}Anaheim Angels99–63.6114Won ALDS (Yankees) 3–1
Won ALCS (Twins) 4–1
Won World Series (Giants) 4–3
2012Texas Rangers1}}Texas Rangers*93–69.5741Lost ALWC (Orioles)
2014Oakland Athletics1}}Oakland Athletics*88–74.54310Lost ALWC (Royals)
2015Houston Astros1}}Houston Astros*86–76.5312Won ALWC (Yankees)
Lost ALDS (Royals) 3–2
2018Oakland Athletics1}}Oakland Athletics*97–65.5996Lost ALWC (Yankees)
2019Oakland Athletics1}}Oakland Athletics*97–65.59910Lost ALWC (Rays)
2020Houston Astros1}}Houston Astros*29–31.4837Won ALWC (Twins) 2–0
Won ALDS (Athletics) 3–1
Lost ALCS (Rays) 4–3
2022Seattle Mariners3}}Seattle Mariners*90–72.55616Won ALWC (Blue Jays) 2–0
Lost ALDS (Astros) 3–0
2023Texas Rangers1}}Texas Rangers*90–72.5560Won ALWC (Rays) 2–0
Won ALDS (Orioles) 3–0
Won ALCS (Astros) 4–3
Won World Series (Diamondbacks) 4–1
  • – From 2012 to 2019, and in 2021, the Wild Card was expanded to two teams. Those teams faced each other in the Wild Card Game to determine the final participant in the American League Division Series. In 2020 only, eight teams, including the three division winners, played in a best-of-three Wild Card Series, with the winners advancing to the Division Series. Starting in 2022, the Wild Card field was increased to three teams, and along with the lowest-ranked division winner, qualified for the best-of-three Wild Card Series to determine the remaining two slots in the Division Series.

Season results

(#)Denotes team that qualified for the MLB postseason
Seasoncolspan="7"Team (record)1st2nd3rd4th5th6th7th
Minnesota (97–65)
Minnesota (98–64)
Oakland (101–60)
Oakland (93–62)
Oakland (94–68)
Oakland (90–72)
Oakland (98–64)
Kansas City (90–72)
Kansas City (102–60)
Kansas City (92–70)
California (88–74)
Kansas City (97–65)
Oakland (64–45)
California (93–69)
Chicago White Sox (99–63)
Kansas City (84–78)
Kansas City (91–71)
California (92–70)
Minnesota (85–77)
Oakland (104–58)
Oakland (99–63)
Oakland (103–59)
Minnesota (95–67)
Oakland (96–66)
Chicago White Sox (94–68)
Texas (52–62)
(3) Seattle (79–66)
(3) Texas (90–72)
(2) Seattle (90–72)
(3) Texas (88–74)
(3) Texas (95–67)
(2) Oakland (91–70)
(1) Seattle (116–46)
(2) Oakland (103–59)
(2) Oakland (96–66)
(2) Anaheim (92–70)
(2) L.A. Angels (95–67)
(3) Oakland (93–69)
(3) L.A. Angels (94–68)
(1) L.A. Angels (100–62)
(2) L.A. Angels (97–65)
(3) Texas (90–72)
(2) Texas (96–66)
(2) Oakland (94–68)
(2) Oakland (96–66)
(1) L.A. Angels (98–64)
(3) Texas (88–74)
(1) Texas (95–67)
(2) Houston (101–61)
(2) Houston (103–59)
(1) Houston (107–55)
(2) Oakland (36–24)
(2) Houston (95–67)
(1) Houston (106–56)
(2) Houston (90–72)
(3) Houston (88–73)
(2) Seattle (90–72)

;Notes and Tiebreakers

  • Seattle and California were tied for the division championship and played in a tie-breaker game. The Mariners won 9–1 to claim the division crown.
  • Anaheim and Minnesota of the American League Central were tied for the second and third seed, but the Angels claimed the second seed by winning the season series 5–4.
  • Los Angeles and New York Yankees of the American League East were tied for the second and third seed, but the Angels claimed the second seed by winning the season series 6–4.
  • Texas and Tampa Bay of the American League East were tied for the second wild-card berth and played in a tie-breaker game. The Rangers lost 5–2 and were eliminated from postseason contention.
  • Texas and Houston were tied for the division lead, but the Astros claimed the division by winning the season series 9–4.
  • Houston and Detroit of the American League Central were tied for the third wild-card berth, but the Tigers clinched the final postseason spot by winning the season series 4–2.

AL West statistics

TeamDivision championshipsPostseason recordsNumberYear(s)Most recentWild CardALWCALDSALCSWorld SeriesCurrent Teams in DivisionFormer Teams in DivisionTotal551969–1993, 1995–present2024115519201824117
Athletics171971–1975, 1981, 1988–1990, 1992, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2012, 2013, 2020202041–32–76–54–2
Los Angeles Angels91979, 1982, 1986, 2004, 2005, 2007–2009, 2014201410–03–41–51–0
Houston Astros72017–2019, 2021-2024202422–17–14–32–2
Texas Rangers71996, 1998, 1999, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2016201621–13–53–01–2
Seattle Mariners41995*, 1997, 2001, 2025202521–04–20–30–0
Kansas City Royals61976–1978, 1980, 1984, 198519850–12–41–1
Minnesota Twins41969, 1970, 1987, 199119910–02–22–0
Chicago White Sox21983, 199319930–00–20–0
Milwaukee Brewers / Seattle Pilots§00–00–0
  • – Won division via tiebreaker

§ indicates no longer in division since 1972, and no longer part of AL since 1998

indicates no longer in division since 1994 :Totals updated through conclusion of the 2024 postseason.

Rivalries

  • Angels–Athletics rivalry
  • Angels–Rangers rivalry
  • Lone Star Series (Astros–Rangers)

Notes

References

References

  1. (November 17, 2011). "Astros' sale finalized, 2 more for playoffs". [[Associated Press]].
  2. The team was also formerly known as the Anaheim Angels and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
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