AL West

Sure, 2015 might have been a down year by the standards of Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano. Yet he still is managing to reach milestones. 

On Wednesday night, Cano lined a single to left field in the top of the eighth inning against Kansas City Royals pitcher Kelvin Herrera for his 2,000th career hit. 

There has been very little for Oakland Athletics fans to cheer for during the 2015 season, but that will change Saturday when fans are treated to a nostalgic afternoon of baseball.

The reappearing act is an underrated one.

That is mostly because it is shrouded in disappointment, which is a necessary prerequisite. Without a massive letdown, there is no unexpected burst back onto the scene to stun the masses.

The Los Angeles Angels have both ends covered now.

That man is STRONG. 

Houston Astros DH Evan Gattis was the lone shining light in his team's 14-3 loss against the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night. 

In the top of the eighth inning, the big man crushed a two-run home run off pitcher Andrew Faulkner. However, this wasn't your run-of-the-mill home run. Gattis only needed one hand. 

Yeah. We know.

Expectations at the big league level were minimal as last April brought the start of the Major League Baseball season.

However, by the time the final out of their 25th game was made, the Houston Astros had transformed into a contender. The only question was, were they more the small-sample variety, or were they the kind of club built to sustain success through the grind of 162 regular-season games?

The comedic impressions, the all-around goofiness and even the recent "Wild Thing" haircut have become staples of Derek Holland's public persona during his seven-year career. 

If you can remember as far back as early August, then you can remember a time when the American League West race was between the Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels and nobody else.

Now, here we are to ask with total seriousness if the Texas Rangers have become the team to beat. Because baseball is weird like that.

On Friday, Nike unveiled Mike Trout's second signature cleat, the Nike Lunar Trout 2, which will also be available as a turf shoe—a first for the Los Angeles Angels center fielder.

As the Houston Astros continue their chase for a playoff spot, their starting rotation will be without a key piece the rest of this season thanks to Scott Feldman's shoulder injury. 

Continue for updates. 

Astros Shut Feldman Down

Friday, Sept. 11

According to the Astros' official Twitter, a sprained right shoulder will force Feldman to miss the rest of 2015. 

The Texas Rangers' depth took a considerable hit Thursday as it was announced outfielder Josh Hamilton will undergo arthroscopic knee surgery Friday, according to Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.  

Continue for updates.