While the Texas Rangers have come back to earth a bit over the last few weeks, their fast start to 2012 has them blowing away the rest of the AL West with one-sixth of the season now in the books.
The LA Angels were supposed to be their main threat to winning a third consecutive division crown after adding Albert Pujols and CJ Wilson, but they're currently in last place, a full seven games back of Texas at 14-18
The Rangers, meanwhile, have the best record in MLB at 20-10, a half-game ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays, LA Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals. Their run differential of +65 trails only St. Louis' +75; the next highest mark are the Atlanta Braves at +24.
Oakland and Seattle have both performed to about expectations, hovering around .500 at 16-15 and 15-18 respectively. And with a pivotal three-game series between Texas and LA set to begin in Arlington in Friday, the AL West race could be over by Memorial Day.
For more coverage of the two-time defending AL champions, head on over to Lonestar Ball.