MLB West Power Rankings: Can Dodgers finally win World Series?

For the 60-game MLB season, teams will play two-thirds of their games against division rivals, with the balance being played against interleague counterparts from the corresponding division.

Today, theScore editors rank the teams in the western divisions:

EAST | CENTRAL | WEST

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

Even with David Price opting out of the 2020 campaign, no team looks better on paper than the Dodgers. Fans must be breathing a collective sigh of relief because Mookie Betts, the other player in the blockbuster trade with the Red Sox, will be able to suit up - albeit briefly - before hitting free agency.

A lineup with Betts, reigning NL MVP Cody Bellinger, Justin Turner, Max Muncy, Corey Seager, budding star Gavin Lux, and more should be on the fast track to the postseason. And with the added time off, veteran left-hander Clayton Kershaw might be more rejuvenated than he's been in years.

2. Houston Astros

Arguably, no team benefits more from empty stadiums than the Astros. MLB has also vowed to be tough on brawls amid the pandemic, which could be enough of a deterrent for opposing pitchers thinking about plunking Houston batters.

The biggest problem actually facing the Astros this year? Their roster isn't as good as previous seasons. The club no longer employs Gerrit Cole, and question marks remain for its rotation beyond 37-year-old Justin Verlander and 36-year-old Zack Greinke. Any team that trots out Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, George Springer, Carlos Correa, and Michael Brantley needs to be taken seriously, but the Astros aren't as complete as the Dodgers.

3. Oakland Athletics

As per usual, the pesky Athletics are poised to surprise in a difficult division. Their offense, with Marcus Semien, Matt Chapman, and Matt Olson leading the way, will do much of the heavy lifting for this team. Starting pitching is a bit of a weak spot, but promising young hurlers such as Jesus Luzardo and A.J. Puk should make an impact.

Don't sleep on the bullpen, either. Blake Treinen is gone, but Liam Hendriks was quietly one of the league's best relievers last year, and he'll anchor this relief corps. A difficult schedule out west could hold Oakland back, but this club is talented enough to clear that hurdle.

4. Arizona Diamondbacks

The D-Backs made a surprising run at the NL wild card last season before falling short. Arizona responded this past offseason, adding ace Madison Bumgarner, Starling Marte and Kole Calhoun.

The Snakes look sneaky good in the West, but losing the durable Mike Leake - who opted out of the 2020 season - leaves a rotation void that Zac Gallen or Merrill Kelly must fill. A returning Jake Lamb, who was hitting like his old self before spring training was paused, could also be an X-factor for Arizona.

5. Los Angeles Angels

A giant wrench could be thrown into the Angels' plans if Mike Trout decides to sit out. The reigning AL MVP hasn't decided yet if he'll play this season, citing his pregnant wife's health and safety as his top priority.

Los Angeles was primed to slot in arguably the league's best 2-3-4 hitters in Trout, newcomer Anthony Rendon, and Shohei Ohtani. The latter returning to the rotation gives the Angels the top-flight starter they sorely need after missing out on Cole in free agency.

6. San Diego Padres

The Padres are a fun NL dark horse because of the young talent available in their player pool. A healthy Fernando Tatis Jr. and the potential debut of electric southpaw MacKenzie Gore could mean the team's future is arriving a touch ahead of schedule. If Gore slides in next to Chris Paddack, Joey Lucchesi, and the presumably healthy Dinelson Lamet and Garrett Richards, there's suddenly a potentially formidable rotation in San Diego.

With Tommy Pham and Trent Grisham taking over in the outfield, the lineup is getting a bit of a makeover, but that's part of what makes the Friars fun and exciting going forward.

7. Texas Rangers

Texas is in an odd spot. Landing Corey Kluber, who missed most of last year with a broken forearm, was the team's big offseason splash. Kluber, when healthy, is a legitimate ace added to a solid rotation that also includes veterans Lance Lynn and Mike Minor, both of whom turned in quietly excellent 2019 seasons. Whether Lynn and Minor can repeat those performances is a huge question.

However, the club's lineup remains a bit of a hodgepodge. Joey Gallo is going to mash, but he won't get much help, and Todd Frazier was a default option at third after Rendon turned Texas down. If everything clicks, this team could surprise. if it doesn't, the season could get ugly fast. There may not be an in-between for the 2020 Rangers.

8. Colorado Rockies

The Rockies were one of the first teams to experience a player opt out when Ian Desmond decided he's not playing, but adding veteran Matt Kemp quickly filled the roster spot. At best that's a lateral move, though, as the club will need David Dahl, Sam Hilliard, and/or Raimel Tapia to take a marked step forward this year.

Any team that features Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story should be considered a threat to get hot in a moment's notice, though. If the Rockies' pitching can keep them close, they could stay in the hunt right until the end.

9. San Francisco Giants

The Giants are a weird team. They still boast a roster of veteran players and are capable of contending, but it's clear the club is trying to move in a different direction. That could make the Giants sellers in August, even if they're in contention.

Last season, they wound up keeping Bumgarner and Will Smith at the trade deadline during a hot streak. It's doubtful GM Farhan Zaidi will do the same this campaign if he can find takers for Johnny Cueto, Jeff Samardzija, or other productive veterans as the team aims to shed payroll.

10. Seattle Mariners

Things could get ugly in Seattle real quick during the 2020 campaign. The Mariners' lineup isn't very good, their pitching staff is underwhelming, and they'll play 40 out of 60 games against divisional opponents that are significantly better. J.P. Crawford, Kyle Lewis, and Justus Sheffield will provide fans with a glimpse of the future in what should be a long (but actually short) season.