NL West Preview
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by user Trecole696
1st Place, Los Angeles Dodgers
Lineup: CF Juan Pierre SS Rafael Furcal 1B Nomar Garciapara 2B Jeff Kent LF Luis Gonzalez C Russel Martin RF Andre Eithier 3B Wilson Betimet
Rotation: RHP Jason Schmidt RHP Derek Lowe RHP Brad Penny LHP Randy Wolfe RHP Chad Billingsly SU: Jonathen Broxten Closer: Takashi Saito
As much as it pains me to do so, I have to pick the Dodgers to win the west at this point. I think they have the most complete team overall in the division. Their bullpen is the best in the division as well. Their top of the order is as good as any in the game, and as long as they keep Nomar and Kent healthy they are going to score more than enough runs to win games. If Jason Schmidt pitches like the pre-2005 version of himself then the Dodgers could be the best in the NL.
2nd Place, San Francisco Giants
Lineup: CF Dave Roberts SS Omar Vizquel LF Barry Bonds 2B Ray Durham 1B Rich Aurillia RF Randy Winn C Bengie Molina 3B Pedro Feliz
Rotation: LHP Barry Zito RHP Matt Cain LHP Noah Lowry RHP Matt Morris RHP Russ Ortiz SU: Steve Kline Closer: Armondo Benitez
The Giants are a better team by having a healthy Armondo Benitez in their bullpen even though he isn't a fan favorite in San Francisco. I think Benitez is primed for another 40+ save season with this being his contract year and his health looking well. If Matt Morris and Noah Lowry have seasons like they did in '05 rather than '06, the Giants will win the division, but those are big question marks because neither have been very impressive this spring. Zito and Cain are going to lead this rotation into the next decade. Their lineup is just about as old as it has been the past couple years, but they do have some unique weapons that they haven't had in San Francisco for years. Roberts should be a nice spark plug at the top of the order, and a healthy Barry Bonds looks primed for one more big season. Look for Ryan Klesko to have a big comeback season and be mentioned in the NL Comeback player of the year discussion.
3rd Place, Arizona Diamondbacks
Lineup: LF Eric Byrnes 2B Orlando Hudson 1B Connor Jackson 3B Chad Tracy RF Carlos Quentin SS Stephen Drew CF Chris Young/Jeff DaVannon C Chris Snieder
Rotation: RHP Brandon Webb LHP Randy Johnson RHP Livan Hernandez LHP Doug Davis RHP Enrique Gonzalez SU: Juan Cruz Closer: Jose Valverde
The new look D-backs will be sporting a brand new uniforms in 2007 and they should also make some noise in the NL West as well. Randy Johnson will be better than he was in New York now comfortably back in Arizona. Doug Davis could have easily won 15 games last year if it weren't for the terrible Brewers' bullpen. They have the most exciting young lineup in the division with Carlos Quentin, Connor Jackson and Stephen Drew paired with young veterans like Byrnes and Tracy. The Diamondbacks are a year away from being serious contenders again in the NL.
4th Place, San Diego Padres
Lineup: LF Termell Sledge 2B Marcus Giles RF Brian Giles 1B Adrian Gonzalez CF Mike Cameron C Josh Bard 3B Kevin Kouzamanoff SS Kahlil Green
Rotation: RHP Jake Peavy RHP Chris Young RHP Greg Maddux RHP Clay Hensley RHP Mike Thompson SU: Scott Linebrink Closer: Trevor Hoffman
The Pads still have a good pen lead by Hoffman and Linebrink, and their rotation should be good enough to hold up, but their lineup lost some players this winter and they never really replaced them. Dave Roberts, Mike Piazza and Josh Barfield where 3 of the top offensive performers for the Padres in '06. Josh Bard will be ok as the full-time catcher, but the Pads are going to miss Piazza's big right-handed bat. Sledge for Roberts is a huge downgrade at the leadoff spot. Jake Peavy has to get his era back below 4 if this team is going to have any chance at competing in this division.
5th Place, Colorodo Rockies
Lineup: CF Willy Taveras 2B Kaz Matsui 3B Garrett Atkins 1B Todd Helton LF Matt Holliday RF Brad Hawpe SS Troy Tulowitzki C Chris Ianetta
Rotation: RHP Aaron Cook LHP Jeff Francis RHP Rodrigo Lopez RHP Jason Hirsch RHP Josh Fogg SU: LaTroy Hawkins Closer: Brain Fuentes
The Rockies stand where they have for about the last 8 years, not nearly good enough to compete, even in one of the more open divisions in baseball. Their middle of the order is second to none in the division, but as always, their pitching will be a mess. They lost their best starter over the last couple years in Jason Jennings. Rodrigo Lopez could give up 50 home runs this season pitching 1/2 his games at Coors Field. Brain Fuentes is a solid closer and should be used as trade bait to get a few young starting pitchers in there.
