NL West Preview

The NL West is a division that has not seen one team dominate over the past decade. All five teams have made the playoffs in the past ten years, and the winner of the division often comes down to the final games. Who will it be this year?

5.) San Diego Padres
The Padres are the obvious weak link in the division.
Jake Peavy was traded last season and there is much speculation around other stars such as closer Heath Bell and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez also getting traded. So what does that leave the team with? Pretty much nothing as the rotation features John Garland (a fifth starter at best) and the oft-injured Chris Young as the 1-2 punch. One of the few bright spots lies in left field as young-gun Kyle Blanks has the talent to put up monster power numbers.

4.) Colorado Rockies
The Rockies are a good team, but to win this division, you are going to have to be better than good. Troy Tulowitzki and Brad Hawpe are all star caliber players, and the youth of Dexter Fowler and the old ways of Todd Helton make this lineup a threatening one. Ubaldo Jimenez is proving himself as a star pitcher and Aaron Cook and Jorge De La Rosa help solidify this rotation. Franklin Morales is a question mark as closer and will try and prove himself this season. Like I said, good team, but nothing special.

3.) Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers are no longer the class of the NL West. Manny will always be Manny, but he is old now. James Loney are good bats, Russell Martin struggled last year with the bat, and Casey Blake and Rafael Furcal are getting up there in years. Matt Kemp is the star of the team, but are his talents enough to carry this team? I'd say no. Jonathan Broxton is emerging as one of the best closers in the MLB but with Vincente Padilla as your opening day starter, the rotation is lacking. Still, if Chad Billingsley and Clayton Kershaw can pitch to their potentials, then the Dodgers will be very competitive.

2.) Arizona Diamondbacks
This young team knows it has the talent to compete in the National League. Led by All Star Justin Upton and third baseman Mark Reynolds, this young and exciting lineup will put up runs. Chris Young, Stephen Drew, Miguel Montero, and Conor Jackson will help put many runs up on the board for this team. But the strength of the team is their starting pitching. The rotation features 3 very solid starters, led by Dan Haren. Brandon Webb missed the entire season last year, but he if can return to form, he will be one of the best #2 starters in baseball. The #3 pitcher is Edwin Jackson, who was traded from the Tigers in the off season. Closer Chad Qualls will have to show he is a capable closer for this team to succeed.

1.) San Francisco Giants
Pitching wins championships. That is why the Giants are my pick to win the division despite a questionable lineup. Veterans fill the roster, as Aaron Rowand, Mark DeRosa, Aubrey Huff, Bengie Molina, and Edgar Renteria each have seen their fair share of seasons in the MLB. A young star has emerged at third base though, and its Pablo Sandoval. If Sandoval can pick up where he left off last season, the "Kung-Fu Panda" can lead this team to a division win. Now to the two big guns: Lincecum and Cain. Tim Lincecum has won two consecutive Cy Young awards and yet there are some who think Matt Cain might have better stuff than his teammate. The disappointing Barry Zito needs to try and live up to the size of his contract, and if he proves to be a suitable third starter, the Giants will be more than fine.