Although the teams are still bunched up a bit, baseball tickets are still a relevant item in the cities of the AL West. Only 6.5 games separate first place from last, but form is beginning to take hold, and unless someone either goes extremely hot or very cold, this race is going to come down to the finish.

Oakland A's

Currently:

The A's are beginning to play with some consistency, and they went 15-11 over the past 30 days, maintaining their hold on the division lead. Although there's no one dominant player on this typically-balanced A's team, Frank Thomas is quietly having a great comeback season. Barry Zito has been his reliable self in 2006.

Outlook:

The A's are a solid team that may not be prone to ripping off 13 straight wins, but they're built to battle, and most likely won't swoon. They'll be right there until the end.

Los Angeles Angels

Currently:

The Angels appear to be making a charge towards the postseason, and their last 30 days would bear this out. They had an eight-game winning streak interrupted by the All Star break, but still posted a nice 17-9 record over the past 30 days. Their offense is all about one superstar - Vladimir Guerrero. He's one of the most feared hitters in the AL, and as long as he's right, the Angels are a threat.

Outlook:

This team has the talent to accomplish big things, and if they keep this momentum, don't be surprised to see them take the division.

Texas Rangers

Currently:

The Rangers had another mediocre month, and this cost them in the standings. They went only 13-14, which included a six-game losing streak and a stretch where they lost seven of eight games. Baseball tickets did become a hotter item recently, though, as the Rangers acquired slugger Carlos Lee from the Brewers, adding some much-needed power to their lineup.

Outlook:

If the Rangers get a boost from Lee, this is a team that could climb back into the race.

Seattle Mariners

Currently:

The Mariners had another mediocre month, going 11-13 over the past 30 days. They now find themselves in the cellar, and although they're only 6.5 games out as of this writing, they need to have a strong month to keep pace with the teams above them. They have the team to turn it around, as Ichiro Suzuki is one of the biggest pests to opposing pitching in recent baseball history.

Outlook:

The Mariners, like the Rangers, need to turn it on now, or baseball tickets will become an afterthought in the Great Northwest.