MLB Season Preview-NL West

NL West

Arizona Diamondbacks

Strengths: Consistency-Whether the D-Backs will be good this season remains to be seen but they have a lineup and a rotation that will be consistent in their approach. Guys like Ketel Marte and Nick Ahmed are contact hitters who play strong defense in the field while their top arm, Madison Bumgarner, has been the picture of consistency throughout his decorated MLB career.

Weaknesses: Strengths-Yes I know that looks weird but it is true, this team lacks true strengths. They do not have multiple hitters that can drive and pop the ball for power home runs and they don’t have another strong arm behind Bumgarner. This team is set up to compete in every game but lose most.

X-Factor: Joakim Soria-The D-Backs do not have a set closer and that is a little worrisome going into Opening Day. Soria used to be a really strong arm when it came to saves but his last year or two have been far below his previous career numbers. 

Best Bet: Under 74.5 Wins-To be honest I don’t like this team, I feel as if the Front Office went out and assembled a team they knew couldn’t win but also wouldn't be bad enough to drive off the already dwindling fanbase. 

Colorado Rockies

Strengths: Trevor Story-Yes, that is it, one player. This Rockies team is awful and has a real chance at finishing dead last in the MLB. The Front Office was the only one in the league to not sign a single free agent, not even a league minimum deal. Their biggest offseason move was shipping their franchise star to another team.

Weaknesses: Everything-Honestly the biggest weakness for the Rockies is their ownership and management but if we keep this on the field then I will focus on everyone that isn’t Charlie Blackmon or Trevor Story. Their lineup is soft and their rotation is somehow softer. Fade this team all year.

X-Factor: Antonio Senzatela-Probably their best pure pitcher, Senzatela is coming off a strong abbreviated 2020 season where he started 12 games with an ERA of 3.44. If he can continue that then he can prove to be a legit starter in this league.

Best Bet: Under 63.5 Wins-The fact that this number isn’t in the 50’s is probably the only win the Rockies will feel all year. 

Los Angeles Dodgers

Strengths: Everything-If Thanos were a baseball team he would be the Dodgers. LA has the deepest lineup, rotation, and bullpen in the MLB. Their lineup features 2 MVP’s in Mookie Betts and Cody Bellinger and a former finalist in Justin Turner. Their rotation has their franchise player, Clayton Kershaw, and their new ace Walker Buehler, oh, and they added Trevor Bauer. Their team is so good the former Cy Young winner David Price is going to start the season in the bullpen.

Weaknesses: World Series Hangover-Whether you believe in this phenomenon or no, it is a weakness for the Dodgers. It is extremely hard to repeat as world champion in any major sports league and this year, with the season back at 162 games, it will be even harder to maintain those championship levels all year. 

X-Factor: Will Smith-The young catcher has a lot of promise and his abbreviated 2020 season was really strong. If he can pick up where he left off then the Dodgers will be even better than expected. It is really hard to find catchers who hit well these days and Smith may just be that.

Best Bet: NL Champion-There is no regular season bet with good odds for this team and their roster makes them a lock for the playoffs as is. Whether they will repeat remains to be seen but they can for sure get back to the Fall Classic.

San Diego Padres

Strengths: All-In Mode-The Padres have committed to winning now and they have done it with a bang. San Diego, or Slam Diego as they are now known, brought in Manny Machado several years ago and now have added Yu Darvish and Blake Snell to fill out their rotation. The Padres are trying to compete in an arms race with the Dodgers and they might just be the closest team in the NL.

Weaknesses: Hype and Expectations-All in mode can be a little overwhelming, especially for a team who is led by a young star in Fernando Tatis Jr. who is perhaps the most exciting player in baseball. Darvish and Snell as well as Eric Hosmer have extensive playoff experience but other guys on this team are green and need to stay focused on the long term goal and not get caught up in a rat race with LA.

X-Factor: Wil Myers-The original member of Slam Diego is their tenured star, Myers, who used to be the big bat in the lineup. With Tatis and Machado taking the attention it could be Myers who steps up and goes yard the most this season for SD.

Best Bet: NA-All their preseason bets are skewed because they are in the same division as LA. They won’t win the division but they are too good to be considered long shots. They will make the playoffs but whether they can be a 100 win wild card team is a stretch. 

San Francisco Giants

Strengths: Lineup-The Giants have done a good job building their lineup despite their poor season in 2019 and 2020. Tommy La Stella is a more than capable lead off man who used to hit for solid contact with the Cardinals. Mike Yastremski is their top prospect turned everyday player who needs to find that big time pop to take the step to the next level. Mix in veteran Buster Posey, Brandon Belt, and Brandon Crawford and you have yourselves a batting order that can keep you in games.

Weaknesses: Rotation-Kevin Gausman is a fine starting pitcher but he wouldn’t be an ace on 90% of the other teams in the league. Johnny Cueto is far from his prime and his contract looks like a nightmare to ownership. The other 3 starters in the rotation are nothing to write home about either.

X-Factor: Alex Dickerson-The 30 year old journeyman has never had much run with any team in the big leagues but last year he hit .298 with the Giants in 52 games during the shortened season. He projects to start the season batting 4th and the Giants will need his bat to contribute to their offense.

Best Bet: Under 75.5 Wins-This team is far from contending and they will have to face off against the Dodgers and Padres a bunch of times. I think their lack of pitching will hurt them in close games and that will be the difference between a 77 win season and 73 win season.

Projected Final Standings:

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (Y)
2. San Diego Padres (X)
3. Arizona Diamondbacks
4. San Francisco Giants
5. Colorado Rockies

Y: Clinched Division

X:Clinched Wild Card