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N.L. WEST Preview

The contenders: The Giants, Dodgers, and Padres.

The maybe-contender(s): The Rockies

The likely also-ran(s): The Diamondbacks.

Working from the presumptive bottom, the D-Backs will score some runs, but their pitching just cannot be expected to hold up during a full 162-game season. Randy Johnson is a legitimate ace, with his 2.49 ERA and 1.009 WHIP, but most games he will be facing off against other teams’ aces, which will mitigate Johnson’s impact on the pennant race.

The Rockies can score runs, especially at home, but their pitching is terrible. While they have a better chance than the D-Backs at contending, it will have to come in the form of 7-6 ballgames, as there is no significant expectation of their starting rotation being able to consistently stop other teams from scoring.

The Padres have the lineup to contend, and the pitching to allow the lineup a chance to score enough runs to win games. San Diego will have to be careful with the bullpen or there will be games where they will have to ride a starter well past his ability to contain the other teams’ offenses. Having Tony Gwynn’s .394 year in the 3 slot with 2 speedsters who get on base a lot will be interesting to watch, as will the 4 thru 8 slots, where each is in danger of going deep in every at bat.

The Giants have a powerful offense as well, and pitching that will stand up to (even) the Dodgers’ staff. Not many opposing pitchers are going to enjoy facing Bonds, Mitchell, the Clark ‘bros’ and Matt Williams in succession. How far the Giants go will depend, however, on how well the top 3 in the rotation (Swift, Hammaker, and Garrelts) perform.

The Dodgers would be contenders just based on their starting rotation, which to my mind is the best in the league. Their bullpen will also be excellent, and unlike many Dodgers teams of the chosen time period, the offense will likely score runs in bunches. Look for Bob Welch and Jerry Reuss, the 4 and 5 starters for the Dodgers, to be where much of the potential for separation resides. No other team can count on a 2.31 ERA and 2.51 ERA out of their 4th and 5th starters.

The overall winner might very well come from the NL West, but only if the old adage that ‘good pitching beats good hitting’ stays true.

QUIRKS: Both the Dodgers and Giants have Brett Butler starting in CF and leading off.

The Giants went to the World Series in 1989, but of the 25 roster slots only 4 are occupied by 1989 players.

The Dodgers went to 3 World Series during the chosen time period, winning in 1981 and 1988, but not even one starter is from either of the 2 World Champion teams, with 2 starters being from the team that lost to the Yankees in 1978.

1988 NL MVP Kirk Gibson is on the Dodgers’ bench…

The Padres went to the World Series once during the chosen time period, in 1984. Only two players, both pitchers, from the World Series year, made the team. It pays to note that at least 9 Padres players are also on other teams’ rosters. The joys of a ‘small market’ team having to part with most of their homegrown talent…

In 2001 The D-Backs became the next team to have won more World Series titles than the Padres…

In 2020 4 players had OPS above 1.000-----The Rockies starting lineup for this league also has 4…

Best name given by Berman: Brett ‘frankly I don’t give a damn’ Butler.