NL West Preview

Los Angeles Dodgers – The Rock

Why The Rock? – The Dodgers are that flashy team that might just have more talent than anybody in the majors. The Rock was the most electrifying man in sports entertainment, and for my money, the Dodgers are the most electrifying team in the MLB. Mannywood, Big Jonathon Broxton, Matt Kemp’s breakout year, Andre Ethier’s walkoff hits, all this excites that usual late-coming L.A. crowd. Joe Torre is one of the best managers in Major League history and it doesn’t matter what you think about his strategies. I really feel the Dodgers have COME BACK as the premier team in L.A. Sorry Lakers and that other L.A. basketball team…IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT YOUR NAME IS! IF YA SMELLLLLLL WHAT VIN SCULLY IS COOKIN!


What I like – I am actually one of the few staying on the Dodgers bandwagon this year. A lot of experts want to ride the Rockies or Giants to the NL West crown, but I’m sticking with the blue. The Dodgers have the best outfield in baseball. Andre Ethier (.272, 31 HR, 106 RBI), Manny (.290, 19 HR, 63 RBI in only 104 games), and Matt Kemp (.297, 26 HR, 191 RBI) will all have better seasons than 2009. That’s my prediction. Watch out for this outfield if they stay healthy and avoid suspensions (Manny). I look for James Loney and Russell Martin to have comeback years, and if Rafael Furcal can stay healthy, he should score quite a few runs in that leadoff spot. I love Casey Blake, but I have my doubts about him and Jamey Carroll hitting 7-8. I saw that in Cleveland and it didn’t work out too well. Better start Ronnie Belliard.
I also think the Dodgers have the best bullpen in the majors. Broxton, George Sherrill and Ronald Belisario are all reliable relievers with nasty stuff. The starters led by Clayton Kershaw will be young and talented, but if they produce remains to be seen.

Questions – Will Jamey Carroll or Ronnie Belliard start at second base? My money is on Ronnie. He shined in the playoffs last year, and Torre is a Belliard fan. Will Chad Billingsley be the Billingsley from the first half of 2009 or the second? The Dodgers are hoping the first. Can Hiroki Kuroda recover from his last season struggles and the ball that bounced off his head into the stands? The Dodgers have questions no doubt, but if I had to put my money on one person to answer those questions effectively and get them in the W column, it would be Joe Torre.

2009 Record – 95-67
2010 prediction – 93-69

Colorado Rockies – Chris Jericho

Why Jericho? – The Rockies are perpetually underrated, much like Jericho. Three years ago they got to the World Series, returned the core pieces all healthy for 2009 and nobody gave them any love until their usual September push. Jericho has been performing at a high level for years now, but never gets the appreciation he deserves, much like Todd Helton and Troy Tulowitzki. Granted, Helton is better suited for that analogy since Tulo is young, but both are underappreciated. Both Jericho and the Rockies are almost always overlooked (except by some experts picking Colorado to overtake the Dodgers for the NL West this year I suppose), but always put on a good show and hold their own.

What I like – It all starts with a healthy Troy Tulowitzki. Granted it was not only Tulo who was injured in 2008, but we saw what happened to the Rockies in 2008 without him. I like outfielders Carlos Gonzalez and Dexter Fowler, but both need to raise their OBP a little bit. The young arms on Colorado are explosive. Ubaldo Jimenez, Aaron Cook and Jorge De La Rosa could all be 15 game winners this year. They also get Jeff Francis back who did not pitch at all in 2009. The bullpen should also be good when Houston Street is closing games and not sitting on the DL.

Questions – How will Chris Ianetta, Ian Stewart and Clint Barmes be at the bottom of the Rockies order. The top of the order should be trouble for opposing pitchers, but the bottom might be lacking in the batting average area. How will Francis come back in 2010? I think Jeff Francis will pitch good, but how good remains to be seen.

2009 Record – 92-70
2010 Prediction -90-72

San Francisco Giants – Jeff Hardy

Why Hardy? – The Giants are Jeff Hardy for a couple reasons. First is drugs. Jeff Hardy has had some well-documented drug problems, but still was one of the best wrestlers in the business. The Giants, through the face of their franchise over the last 10 years, whether it be Barry Bonds or Tim Lincecum, have been associated with drugs (steroids and Timmy’s sweet mary jane). Another comparison can be seen by their “brother”. Jeff Hardy has always been the more exciting of the Hardy brothers, and the Giants have been more exciting than the A’s for a long time in the Bay area. I mean, the A’s wear white spikes. Come on A’s.

What I like – Pitching. The Giants starting pitching is top notch. Of course Lincecum is the reigning Cy Young winner, but Matt Cain is damn good too. Jonathan Sanchez can hold his own which was seen by his no-hitter, and Barry Zito could be tough when he is on. On a side note, anybody who watched The League and didn’t think Taco reminded them of Zito needs to re-look at Zito. I also like the bullpen even though it has a bunch of unknown pitchers. The Mark DeRosa pickup could be huge for the Giants. His versatility and hitting could be a big boost to the lineup and defense.

Questions – Is Edgar Renteria still a major league starter at shortstop? The easy answer is no. He is 34 years old and his range is not what it used to be. It will be interesting to see if he can still play at a level high enough to appease the San Fran fans. Will they score enough runs to win games? This is sketchy. The starting pitching should win them some games, but with the exception of Freddy Sanchez, Pablo Sandoval and DeRosa, the lineup sucks.

2009 record – 88-74
2010 Prediction – 88-74

Arizona Diamondbacks – Christian

Why Christian? - The D-Backs have been the team of the future for years now. Their young talent and farm system are always hyped to the extreme. Christian has always seemed to be just on the cusp of superstardom. Captain Charisma is loved by some hardcore fans, just like Stephen Drew and Justin Upton. The talent is undeniable. The coolness is undeniable. The question is when will they put it all together?

What I like – The young talent. Did you know the D-Backs have young talent? Yeah I figured not. It’s pretty inside information. Stephen Drew, Conor Jackson, Justin Upton and Chris Young are all explosive youngsters with loads of talent. Drew (.261), Jackson (.182 yuck), and Young (.212) all have to get their batting average way up. However, more often than not, the experts know what they are talking about, and the experts and scouts love these guys. It will happen. Ryan Roberts is no slouch either. Last year he hit .279 which is damn good for a #8 hitter in the NL.
The starting pitching for Arizona is also really good. Their 1-2 can be scary good if Brandon Webb comes back from injury like the old Brandon Webb and Dan Haren shakes his spring struggles. The addition of Edwin Jackson as a #3 pitcher is an under the radar pickup. 13 wins for Detroit and a 3.62 ERA is pretty good.

Questions – Can Chad Qualls lower his 3.63 ERA and be the closer they want him to be? I like Qualls but he needs to get his hits/inning down under one. Will the talent finally come out? This is the biggie. I think it will start to manifest itself, but they are still a year or two away from being really exciting.

2009 Record – 70-92
2010 Prediction – 79-83

San Diego Padres – Mr. Fuji

Why Fuji? – The Padres are Mr. Fuji because Fuji was always just a manager for hire. He threw salt in people’s eyes, hit them with a Japanese flag, or hooked their leg with his cane. Adrian Gonzalez is essentially a hired guns this year. I do not see him being in A Whales Vagina by July. Same goes for Heath Bell. I fell like the first couple months is their tryout for another team, and then it is full blown rebuilding for the Padres. Fuji always popped up with a different team and found success. Maybe the Pad’s can follow suit.

What I like – Adrian Gonzalez. He is a man. He, and his 40 HR’s and 99 RBI’s will be gone though, leaving others such as Tony Gwynn Jr. to shoulder the load. Not a lot to like about this Padres team. Although, I do want to see how Tim Stauffer throws this year as a full season starter. He was featured in a book I read about the Cape League, so that should be interesting.
Questions – Where will the offense come from without Gonzalez? I really do not know. Kevin Kuzmanoff is slated as the cleanup hitter, and he is only a .255 hitter with 18 HR’s. Will the Pitching keep them respectable? I think the pitching will be alright, and I like Clayton Richard that they got from Chicago for Jake Peavey, but overall, there isn’t enough of anything to keep them competitive this year.

2009 Record – 75-87
2010 Prediction – 67-98