April 02, 2005
NL West Preview
I'm going to start my previews with the NL West, bascially because you can discuss a lot of issues facing baseball with this division. Steroids, age and Moneyball GMs all are highlighted here.
Predicted order of finish:
- Los Angeles Dodgers
- San Deigo Padres
- San Francisco Giants
- Arizona Diamondbacks
- Colorado Rockies
I would pick the Giants third even if Barry Bonds had come back from the knee surgery. The team is too old, and I suspect the Geezers by the Bay will be spending a lot of time on the DL this season. When Bonds comes back, who knows how good he'll be? Will balls be dropping all over left field? Will pitchers start throwing at his knees? Will they challenge him in the strike zone?
When I look at things that can go wrong vs. things that can go right, I just see a lot more things that can go wrong. I appreciate that Sabean is trying to get a World Championship before Bonds retires, and rebuilding is not the way to do that. But I'm not sure a bunch of late 30-somethings is the way to go, either.
And if there is going to be a distraction from the press, it's going to be here. Bonds will be facing scrutiny about steroids, his mistress and his assault on Babe Ruth's milestone. Roger Maris never had it so bad.
The Dodgers and Padres are really a toss-up. The offense have enough good players to score enough runs for low ERA staffs to win. Greene and Burroughs should still be improving; Drew should make up for the loss of Beltre.
The Diamondbacks are the dark horse of the division. They're banking on the G-men, Glaus, Green and Gonzalez to return to form and generate some offense. And with Halsey making the rotation, they're also hoping that Vazquez and Brad more than make up for the loss of Randy Johnson. Vazquez will give up home runs in that park; the question is, can he keep his walks low enough to keep men off base.
The Rockies at first appear to be going with a youth movement. If only. Mostly, their young players are career minor leaguers as opposed to up and coming stars. However, as Milwaukee has found out in recent years, a rookie in his mid-20's can have a pretty good season. If that happens, it will at least by fun in Colorado.
I'm picking the Padres, Giants, Dodgers, D-Backs, and Rockies in that order, but every team has a chance besides the Rockies.
Those LA-SF games are going to be intense come September when Jeff Kent is playing big games against Barry. I say the Padres squeak past the others with their balance and youth.
Of course, I love your Dodger pick, but I just can't see it happening.
I have a feeling that the Padres are going to play/hit better at Petco, and the sky is the limit for them this year. I see 92 wins. I'm not sure that the Dodgers will be able to get 85.
HI There Dodge Fans. I Say the dodgers will be going to the world series this year.
Go Dodger Blue
