MLB Previews-NL West

Today we take a look at the National League West Division

Steve the Hammer Predictions

1. San Francisco Giants- Yes, the World Series Champion Giants I am picking to win their division. Why? Because they still have the best pitching, Buster Posey is only going to get better and I like the Mark DeRosa edition to the team. Miguel Tejada is irrelevant to me because he’s like 55 but I think Sandoval losing weight will make him better and this team is primed for another run at the title.
2. Colorado Rockies- The pitching for this team is just good enough to get by with the bats they have in the lineup. Tulowitzki, Helton, Gonzales, Seth Smith, Jose Lopez, and Ian Stewart is probably one of the best lineups in the N.L This team will give the Giants a run for their money for the division title, but I think this team will make a serious run at the wild card.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers- I think that the Dodgers have decent pitching, but they didn’t really add anyone significant enough offensively that puts fear into opposing teams. Dioner Navarro just isn’t cutting it for me at catcher and Juan Uribe might hit 20 home runs, but he’ll also hit .250. If you’re hitting .250 for my team you better be hitting 40 jacks not 20. Sorry Dodgers but you’re a .500 team.
4. San Diego Padres- I apologize for saying this, but this team played way over its head last season. I really do not think their pitching is as good as they appeared to be last season. That being said they did add some pop with Brad Hawpe, Jorge Cantu and Ryan Ludwick. However, I think that pitching will be exposed and they will lose games because of it. One thing to watch out for is keeping an eye out for when they call up a man named Evan Scribner. Not only because he’s my good friends older brother, but because the man can pitch. Keep your eyes open for his call up this year.
5. Arizona Diamondbacks- They have some young talent in the lineup, but realistically, they’re not very good. The pitching is extremely miserable and even without Mark Reynolds their hitters will still lead the league in strikeouts. Chalk it up to a long year in Arizona. But hey, Justin Upton is kind of exciting to watch.

Johnny Baseball Predictions

1. San Francisco Giants - May have the best starting rotation next to the Phillies with Big Time Timmy Jim, Cain, Sanchez, Bumgarner, and Zito all quality starters. Also lineup got a little better now that Posey will be up in the bigs from the beginning of the season and ladies and gentleman THE RETURN OF THE KUNG-FOO PANDA. Pandoval will get back on track to his all-star numbers. Not to mention they have a top 3 closer in the game along with a solid infield.

2. Colorado Rockies - I really love this team. If Tulo stays healthy all year watch out they can make a huge splash because Ubaldo is just filth but other than him and De La Rosa the starting rotation is average which is why they won't finish first. Some good names out of the bullpen and a great lineup that includes Carlos Gonzales, Tulo, and Helton. I'm expecting big things.

3. Los Angeles Dodgers - A good lineup with Kemp, Eithier, Blake, and Loney but they are a little to on the old side with Furcal, Uribe, and most of the pitching staff with the exception of Kershaw who is developing slower than we all thought. I think they will have a decent year because they have a good core of players they just need to get a little younger and get some decent pitching before we talk...PLAYOFFS!?

4. San Diego Padres - Made some good moves in the off season, but none of them benefit the pitching staff and as we see year in and year out pitching really wins games. Aaron Harang isn't going to cut it Padre fans. Although this is no slouch lineup. They braught in the O-dog Orlando Hudson, Brad Hawpe, Jason Bartlett, and Jorge Cantu. Put those guys along with Ludwig and you have a good lineup. The problem is they play in a pitcher friendly park and well let's face it they have none.

5. Arizona Diamondbacks - I feel bad for Chris Young, Justin Upton, and Stephen Drew, three great young players. It's time to trade them to a big market team while the D-backs can still get something for them. The Diamond backs are so desperate for pitching they are trying to make Aaron Heilman a starter. In my book that deems you a last place team. Also they have Armando "The Perfect Game That Never Was" Galarraga and J.J. "I'm a" Putz. Theres no one else even worth making fun of on this team.

Tune in on Monday when we start with the American League and the AL East