MLB Preview: NL West

The NL West was easily won by the Dodgers last year. This year won’t look to be any different. The Dodgers are easily the best team in the division and the next best is the Rockies and they don’t have the rotation or bullpen to keep up. In my opinion, the battle won’t take place at the top of the division, it will be to see who comes in second. That second-place team could very well round up a Wild Card spot and compete in the playoffs.

Last Place: San Diego Padres

The Padres have done really well in rebuilding their franchise. They’ve had success in the draft and success through trades. They even made a big splash in the free agent market by signing 1B Eric Hosmer to a(n) 8 year, $140 million-dollar deal. They are letting people know that they are getting ready to compete. They have the number 3 farm system and soon prospects like, SS Fernando Tatis, pitcher Mackenzie Gore, and 2B Luis Urias, will be ready to play. Also, they have some young guys at the big-league level who have some experience now like, Manuel Margot, Austin Hedges, and Hunter Renfroe. These guys will look to compete and lead a team of young talent. Although the Padres have made an immense amount of improvement, they aren’t quite there yet. It will still be a couple seasons before San Diego can enjoy a winning baseball season.

4^th Place: San Francisco Giants

The Giants have tried to improve after an embarrassing 2017 campaign. They have acquired Evan Longoria and Andrew McCutchen over the offseason. The problem is that both these guys are past their primes. Longoria was a league-average offensive player last year with a 100 OPS+. Even though McCutchen had a bounce back year last season, I wouldn’t expect the same elite numbers he had a few seasons ago. Not to mention, his diminishing defensive skills. The Giants have Buster Posey and Brandon Crawford to help as always, but the pitching rotation and the bullpen is average. Madison Bumgarner is a solid arm and Johnny Cueto has his ups and downs. The question is can the whole staff come around and can the lineup produce. They have a lot of question marks and if they get hot than look out, but, in this case, they will finish middle of the road and most likely disappoint your expectations.

3^rd Place: Arizona Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks will be a very similar team to the Wild Card winners from last year. The only real loss -besides two month rental J.D. Martinez- is closer Fernando Rodney. With Archie Bradley moving to the closer’s role and the additions of Brad Boxberger and Yoshihisa Hirano then the bullpen actually improves. The bats will be there with A.J Pollock, Paul Goldschmidt, and Jake Lamb and the rotation will be good with Zack Grienke, Robbie Ray, and Taijuan Walker. If the Diamondbacks can stay healthy then they will look to be a competitive team this year. They don’t have the lineup or rotation to win the division, but I can see them competing for that second Wild Card spot.

2^nd Place: Colorado Rockies

The Rockies are officially a team to be reckoned with. They might have lost the Wild Card game last year, but I don’t see that happening again. They have added Wade Davis and Bryan Shaw to improve their bullpen and have also resigned Jake McGee. The bullpen won’t be the usual Colorado slouch it used to be, and with Jon Gray forming into an ace, the rotation won’t be a get me over either. The bats will definitely be there. Charlie Blackmon is coming off a stellar season hitting .331 with 37 home runs and 104 RBIs. Nolan Arenado is also coming off a monster year after hitting .309 with 37 home runs and 130 RBIs. The lineup will also feature D.J. LeMahieu, Ian Desmond, and Trevor Story who are all in line for big seasons. I expect big things from the Rockies. They have the pieces, they just have to stay healthy. If they stay healthy and the rotation performs then I expect a playoff appearance. There is just one problem, they would have to win the Wild Card because in my opinion, the Dodgers have the NL West locked up.

1^st Place: Los Angeles Dodgers

This one is pretty obvious in my book. The Dodgers are coming off a 104-win season where they reached the World Series and lost to the Houston Astros. They have something to prove and don’t have any doubt that they are seeking revenge. If Logan Forsythe could have a bounce back year then I could see the Dodgers having the best lineup in the NL. The pitching staff will be as good as always as they return most of the key pieces from a staff that led the league with a 3.38 ERA. The injury bug didn’t hurt them last year and if it stays away this year then I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Dodgers win at least 95 games. A 100-win season definitely seems attainable. Look out Astros, the Dodgers are looking to make a late October run.

Written by Justin Raley