The 2010 MLB preview comes to a close as we take a look at the increasingly competitive NL West division. The Los Angeles Dodgers will need to bounce back from a poor playoff performance if they are going to stave off the rest of the division.
Can the San Francisco Giants find enough offense to help support one of the best pitchers in the Major Leagues? Will the Colorado Rockies carry over the mojo that helped them have the best record in the NL in the second half of 2009?
Can the Arizona Diamondbacks reverse the trend of two consecutive disappointing seasons? Will the San Diego Padres be sending their star players packing by the All-Star break?
Los Angeles Dodgers
If the Dodgers are going to find success in 2010, they will need to rely upon their two up and coming outfielders, Matt Kemp and Andre Either. If these two can continue to put up a combined 50 plus home runs and 200 RBI’s, they will ease the pressure on Manny Ramirez, James Loney and others.
The Dodgers raised some eyebrows when they announced Vincent Padilla would be their starter on Opening Day rather than the two anchors of the staff, Clayton Kershaw and Chad Billingsley. The back end of the pitching rotation will be helped by having closer Jonathan Broxton shut down opponents in close games.
While the off the field distractions may cause for interesting gossip, it will not serve as a major distraction while the Dodgers wrap up another NL West title.
San Francisco Giants
In 2009, the Giants saw a 16-game improvement in the win category thanks to having one of the best 1-2 pitching combinations in the National League with Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain. If Barry Zito and Jonathan Sanchez are able to win 25 games between them, the Giants are going to give the Dodgers a run for their money.
The one thing holding them back is the lack of a consistent offense. While it was refreshing to see Pablo Sandoval swing the bat, he would see better production if the Giants had someone else besides Aubrey Huff and Mark DeRosa batting behind him.
The Giants are moving in the right direction and with the addition of another solid bat could result in a late season pennant chase. Unless Lincecum wins 25 games in 2010, the Giants will finish second in the NL West.
Colorado Rockies
Though the Rockies have been notoriously slow starters in recent years, they always seem to find a way to bounce back towards the end of the season. If they are going to change this trend, the Rockies will need to start off on the right foot with their pitching staff. They need their ace, Ubaldo Jimenez, to continue making strides, especially with a bullpen full of questions.
The Rockies offense is never in doubt and is the perfect combination of speed and power throughout the lineup, anchored by MVP candidate Troy Tulowitzki. If Ian Stewart and Clint Barnes can continue to produce power, they will be a force in the NL.
The Rockies are going to lose some of their momentum and will find it hard to bounce back in the increasingly competitive NL West. The questions surrounding with their pitching staff is going to ensure a third place finish for the Rockies.
Arizona Diamondbacks
The last two seasons for the Diamondbacks offense have been frustrating and can be best described by their leading hitter, Mark Reynolds. While he had 44 home runs and 24 stolen bases, he also set a MLB record by striking out 223 times during the season.
The pitching staff is full of potential with Danny Haren, Brandon Webb and newcomer Edwin Jackson. If Webb is able to bounce back from his injury filled 2009 season, Jackson will play a pivotal part if they are going to make a run at the division.
The Diamondbacks have the talent but never seem to fully utilize it properly. If Webb is healthy, Arizona has a chance to be the surprise team of 2010. Otherwise, look for the D-Backs to finish in fourth place.
San Diego Padres
The current state of the Padres makes it hard to believe they won the NL West division title only four years ago. The odds are stacked against All-Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez finishing the season in San Diego. If he is dealt, the Padres lineup will feature a lot of unknowns.
The strength of the pitching staff is closer Heath Bell, who led the NL with 42 saves in 2009. San Diego’s starting rotation is filled with several unknowns and an underrated John Garland. If Garland’s durability is able to rub off on the rest of the staff, they may have a chance to make some progression this year.
The Padres are going to endure another long season as they watch the rest of the NL West duke it out while using them as a way of getting easy wins.
