IMO: 2020 Team Predictions NL West

How are you guys doing today? We are going to get into one of the tougher divisions and probably my favorite one on paper. Between the NL/AL West, we are going to see some of the best baseballs. These are two of the more competitive divisions. With this division again today, we have a close race that will be decided in the last series. As per usual we are going to go 5 to 1 Before we get into it today, lets shoutout. 5. The SF Giants are full-on rebuild mode or at least getting close. Getting rid of franchise cornerstone in Mad-Bum, having Posey possibly sitting out. Hoping for a rebound from Jeff Samardzija, Johnny Cueto, Drew Smyly, Kevin Gausman, Hunter Pence, Tony Watson, among others. This team has a way to many question marks. If all the above players play to career normals, then this team is better than expected. The lineup doesn't impress me either with the attention of youngsters Joey Bart, Mauricio Dubon, Jaylin Davis, and Steven Duggar. The focus is in the future and not on the current payroll obligations. Rebuild and recoup the vets' value will be the theme for the Giants for the next couple of years. 4. The Colorado Rockies fall into 4th place for me, but it's not by much at all. The Rox did a great job of keeping the band together this offseason. With Dahl, Story, Blackmon, Arenado, Murphey all ready to give opposing pitchers headaches. While John Gray and German Marquez look to be atop of the rotation, but after this group of core pieces, all still being there and not any impressive additions to the team doesn't show me anything more than where they were last year with 71 wins. Hopefully, the impact of Desmond sitting out will help this team in the end, as Tapia seems to be the lock to take over for him. My hangup with the Rox being here is the pitching and how tough it is to pitch at Coors Field. 3. When I started this blog, I lived in AZ. The D-Backs end up in 3rd place in the division here. They had an excellent offseason. They were able to add Mad-Bum, Starling Marte, Kole Calhoun, Hector Rondon, and Stephen Vogt. With the power bat of Kevin Cron on his way along with David Peralta coming back from injury. The key for this team is the health, and with the short-season should help them. Keeping Ketel Marte, Lamb, Peralta, and Luke Weaver is essential for the team's success. With a rotation that now has both Robbie Ray and Mad-Bum at the top. This team is talented, and their talent is only getting better and better. Look for the D-backs to make a lot of noise as last year once they put it together; they almost got a WC spot. 2. The next team here is pretty obvious, but it's still close for me between 2-4. Second place in the NL West goes to the San Diego Padres. I see this team taking a significant step forward from where they were last year. With the new addition of Drew Pomeranz and getting Garrett Richards, Kirby Yates, and Jurikson Profar back from injuries and being kept around town. With Tatis Jr healthy, Machado and Hosmer ready to do some damage with the bats. With Paddack and the rest of the rotation looking to take a step forward, Padres are on a significant incline to success. 1. This one wasn't a question who was going to end up on top of this division—the LA Dodgers who, since the beginning, is the cream of the crop for the NL in general. With David Price sitting out hurts, it doesn't end this team. With the lineup, Betts, Bellinger, Turner, Muncy, Pederson, Hernandez, Lux, Seager, Smith. With a rotation that features Kershaw, Buehler, and a deep and talented bullpen that has Jansen at its tail. The Dodgers will get the job done with the bats or pitching on any given night and if both are on at the same time. It's game over from the start. Final Standings 1- Dodgers- 48-12 2- Padres- 39-21 3- D-Backs- 37-23 4- Rockies- 35-25 5- Giants- 30-30 There will be no easy wins in this division unless you're the Dodgers after that its wide open!