[Highlander]

National League West

The Los Angeles Dodgers franchise starts us off with a long history of fantastic teams as possibilities to represent them. In a bit of a surprise to me, it was the 2017 Dodgers that came through. They were 104-58 and lost to the Astros in the ALCS, so they were clearly a strong team, but I really thought that one of those great 1950’s teams might come through. The 2017 team was led on offense by ROY 1B Cody Bellinger (39 HR, 97 RBI), SS Corey Seager (.295, 22 HR), 3B Justin Turner (.322/.415/.530) and OF Yasiel Puig (28 HR). The pitching has future HOFer Clayton Kershaw (18-4, 2.31, 202 Ks), Alex Wood (16-3, 2.72), Rich Hill (12-8, 3.32, 166 Ks in 135.2 IP) and Kenley Jansen as the closer (5-0, 1.32, 41 Saves, 109 Ks in 68.1 IP).

In a pretty big surprise for the San Diego Padres franchise, it was the 2007 Padres that came through to represent them. They finished 3rd in the NL West that year with a record of 89-74. They had a pretty strong offense led by 1B Adrian Gonzalez (.282, 101 R, 46 doubles, 30 HR, 100 RBI) and SS Khalil Greene (27 HR, 97 RBI). The staff is led by Cy Young winner Jake Peavy (19-6, 2.54, league leading 240 Ks), Chris Young (9-8, 3.12) and a 41 year old HOF Greg Maddux (14-11, 4.14). The bullpen was a real strength led by the duo of Trevor Hoffman (4-5, 2.98, 42 Saves) and Heath Bell (6-4, 2.02, 102 Ks in 93.2 IP).

The San Francisco Giants franchise will be represented by the 1951 New York Giants. This team went 98-59 and lost the World Series to the Yankees that year. They are led on offense by C Wes Westrum (.400 OBP, 20 HR, 70 RBI in 361 AB), SS Al Dark (.303, 114 R, league leading 41 doubles), HOF OF Monte Irvin (.312/.415/.514, 24 HR, league leading 121 RBI), ROY and HOF OF Willie Mays (.356 OBP, 20 HR) and OF Bobby Thomson (.293/.385/.562, 32 HR, 101 RBI). Their pitching was a staff with no real big names, but did have two aces in Sal Maglie (23-6, 2.93) and Larry Jansen (23-11, 3.04).

While the Arizona Diamondbacks franchise hasn’t been around long compared to many others, it won’t be a surprise that they will be represented by the 2001 Diamondbacks. They went 92-70 and won the World Series over the Yankees. Their offense was very solid with 1B Mark Grace (.298, .386 OBP), OF Luis Gonzalez (.325/.429/.688, 128 R, 57 HR, 142 RBI), OF Reggie Sanders (33 HR, 90 RBI). The pitching staff is very top heavy with the incredible duo of Curt Schilling (22-6, 2.98, 293 Ks) and HOF Randy Johnson (21-6, league leading 2.49, league leading 372 Ks). Byun-Hyung Kim (5-6, 2.94, 19 Saves, 113 Ks in 98 IP) led the bullpen.

The Colorado Rockies are another recent franchise and they will be represented by the 2009 Rockies. They went 92-70 and lost the NLDS to the Phillies that year. As always, the Rockies are all about offense and this team had HOF 1B Todd Helton (.325, .416 OBP), SS Troy Tulowitzki (.297/.377/.552, 101 R, 32 HR, 92 RBI, 20 SB), 3B Ian Stewart (25 HR), OF Seth Smith (.293/.378/.510, 15 HR in 335 AB), OF Brad Hawpe (.903 OPS, 42 doubles, 23 HR) and OF Carlos Gonzalez (.878 OPS, 13 HR, 16 SB in 278 AB). Pitching is another story, but they did have Ubaldo Jimenez (15-12, 3.47, 198 Ks) and Huston Street (4-1, 3.06, 35 Saves).

Not the strongest of divisions, but it is still a tough one to predict. The Dodgers and Giants seem to be the favorites, but the Schilling/Johnson duo along with Luis Gonzalez may carry that Diamondbacks team. The Padres and Rockies seem like they will struggle.