» NL West

If you haven’t already noticed, we are LESS THAN 24 HOURS FROM THE FIRST SPRING TRAINING GAME! ZOMG DIGGITY! I’m a little bummed MLB.TV will not be covering the DBacks game! No fear, however, since Arizona’s game vs the Indians on Thursday will! The worst part is that the game starts at 3PM CST…which is when I have class. Should I skip :p ? If I get more than 10 people saying I should, I’ll truly consider it.

On a final note, I’d like to make another bold prediction (I feel as if I may have undermined the fine people/players of San Fran in my last post): An NL West team WILL be in the Wild Card spot… Be it Arizona or the Giants. All this talk of how “Bad” the NL West is, I’m just waiting for the skeptics to be shushed when the Dbacks and Giants are whoppin’ up on everyone else.

Just you wait

I’ve read in various places around the interwebs that the NL West is a toss up when it comes to who will win the Division. Honestly, it baffles me. I know San Fran added some pitching and a bat or two, but that still isn’t going to translate into an NL West division title.

As for the Dodgers, they are solid as well. They just signed a great 2nd basemen in Orlando Hudson (I wish he would have went elsewhere), as well as Randy Wolf a few weeks prior. I’m still not sold on their pitching, however. Yes, they have Billingsley, Kuroda, Wolf, Kershaw, and Schmidt, but it’s weak when you compare that to the Giants. Regardless if Manny is resigned (I feel like he’ll end up being a distraction of some sort anyway), they will finish second or third in the NL West, depending on how the Giants do.

Looking at the Rockies, I first want to say Troy Tulowitzki is a stud. I’ve always loved how he’s played and I have a feeling he’s going to have a great year. Beyond him, I’m not sure what more to expect out of the Rockies. I’ve been a fan of Spillborghs and Hawpe in the OF, but without Holiday (who, IMO, was their franchise player and should have built around him instead of making a deal with the A’s) they’ve lost a huge leader. They could take a step backward for a little time and then turn it on after the adjustment phase (though I don’t think it will be anything like the last month of the 07 season!). Otherwise, if their offense is fine I can see their pitching struggling. I don’t see anything jumping off the page that tells me this is a great starting rotation.

And the Padres… well, they have Jake Peavy. What more is there to say?

But really folks, this is a Dbacks year. That’s right, I said it: The Arizona Diamondbacks will win the NL West hands down. I’m sure there will be some epic battles with the Giants and Dodgers, but really, Arizona has a lock. Why? I’m glad you asked!

Pitching: No one in the NL West can compare to the rotation and bullpen Arizona has compiled. Let’s break it down:

Starting pitching: Brandon Webb, Dan Haren, John Garland, Doug Davis, Max Scherzer.

Brandon Webb

First off, no one in the NL (and possibly MLB? who knows…) has a better 1-2 punch than Webby and Haren. Second, John Garland is a huge signing because he’ll bring consistency. His ERA has been a little higher than I’m comfortable with, but I have this feeling that Webb and Haren will rub off on him (give him a little more motivation maybe?). Doug Davis will also bring consistency that’s he’s had in years prior.  He was set back last year with thyroid cancer (yes, I’ll use that as an excuse) and will probably rebound like crazy. Finally, Max Scherzer. I’ve already talked this kid up in an earlier post so there’s not a whole lot of detail needed: he will be a freakin’ stud.

As for the bullpen: Pena, Rauch, Slaten, Rosales, Peguero, and the new additons of Schoeneweis (I’m excited for this guy to pitch! He’ll be good) as well as Tom “Flash” Gordon (who is currently injured). There are still a few more spots up for grabs, but even the guys fighting for a spot look solid (I feel like Petit will win one of the spots… he’s got some good stuff).

Finally, hitting. In a previous post I’ve stated I’m uncertain about hitting of the Dbacks. Since then, I feel like I’ve had a change in heart: it is going to be a big year. Sure, Reynolds will strike out a lot, but he’ll have more RBI’s and HR’s that the year before. I’m also excited for Justin Upton. He’s been in the league for a year and a half and he’s hit the the weightroom hard this off-season(no, he’s not roids… he’s clean.). I’m hoping this is a huge season for him. My only concern is that the offense may start off really hot like last year and then cool off. I have this feeling that Bob Melvin has addressed (and is addressing) the issue of consistency and one can expect better hitting more throughout the year.

Now rip me a new one. I’ve left out details on purpose in hopes of igniting a good debate!