NL West Thread

[JMarkJohns]

I know there are about a dozen or so of us. Mostly LA and Arizona fans, but I recall a Giants fan or two and I remember lots on the Padres last year, so I'm assuming that came from at least one fan.

Either way, it's gonna be an interesting season.

Questions To Be Answered

1. It's an every-other even year. Can the Giants hold to recent tradition?
2. Dodgers lost a lot. Can their talented farm system replace it all?
3. Diamondbacks added a lot. Can they contend, or are they this year's Padres?
4. Are the Dodgers banking on too many young players?
5. Did the Giants invest in the right rebound-year pitching?
6. Can the Diamondbacks repeat offensively and do a 180 on the mound?

I expect:

1. Giants 89-95 wins
2. Diamondbacks 86-92 wins
3. Dodgers 80-86 wins
4. Rockies 70-75 wins
5. Padres 65-70 wins

I think Diamondbacks win the Wild Card play in, but lose to Mets of Cubs after using Grienke in play-in.

I think Giants make the NLCS, but lose without home field to Mets or Cubs.

But I think the Diamondbacks have the greatest upside of all the NL West teams. Return 90% of the 2nd best offense, and they have a completely overhauled pitching staff, including some studs in the bullpen.

But they are the least proven of the top three teams.

And I am not sure Peralta can replicate last year's success. That said, I think one of he, Segura, or Tomas have a near-All-Star year. If two of three plus Goldschmidt and Pollock, then the division is theirs. They will destroy teams.

But that's a lot of unknowns.

[AlexJones]

Dodgers easily win more than 88.

[JMarkJohns]

Dodgers easily win more than 88.

Why? They have lost a ton through FA and injuries. They have some depth still, but they are relying on a lot of youth and a first year coach.

I don't see it.

[Robz4000]

Spoiler: Giants win it all (again), Dodgers choke in the postseason (again), Diamondbacks barely miss the playoffs (again), and the Padres and Rockies remain mediocre (again).

[AlexJones]

Why? They have lost a ton through FA and injuries. They have some depth still, but they are relying on a lot of youth and a first year coach.

I don't see it.

Kersh, Kazmir, Anderson, Ryu, Maeda, Wood, Bolsinger.. they're definitely going to live or die by their depth this year. Though I still think letting Greinke go was the right move.

[AlexJones]

Anyways just ask midnightpulp if he thinks having a rookie manager would be an improvement over Don fucking Mattingly tbh

[JMarkJohns]

Anyways just ask midnightpulp if he thinks having a rookie manager would be an improvement over Don fucking Mattingly tbh

Oh, I agree about Don Mattingly. Horrible.

But I think the Dodgers are stuck in that wrong mix of vets and youth. Vets have tasted just enough playoff defeat with stronger teams they mentally check out and the young guys are talented, but inconsistent, and while depth is nice, you need stars. Very few "good" teams win in October. And before you say Royals, most of their team are dominant defensively and timely. I've not seen either from Dodgers.

Roberts is an unknown. Pitching depth is there on paper, but several guys listed are concerns.

I think the Diamondbacks have the talent now to make a push. I think they both compete, but Diamondbacks pitching is arguably better this year, their offense is unquestionably better, and they have their best players all in their peak/prime years.

Plus I do trust La Russa to construct Title-contending teams.

[JMarkJohns]

Anderson is already injured, Ryu has had mixed results since last season's shoulder surgery, and Wood has struggled.

Factor in that I still am not sure how the Mike Bolsinger you have now was, a year prior, a shitty Diamondbacks pitcher, and I still struggle to believe he can keep up his incredible starts.

Kershaw is Kershaw. Kashmir seems revived. Bolsinger could be solid. The others are either new, injured, off injury, or young.

Diamondbacks have an MVP candidate at 1, two young All-Stars at 2/3, and a solid, young -4-game winner at 4, and their 5 hits 93-97 routinely.

They have three top pitching prospects in Bradley, Lopez and Shipley, and two good options with MLB experience in Godley and Delgado.

So they have depth themselves.

[ducks]

I want Chris ownings on the bench or traded

[Thread]

Pollock broke his elbow last nite. tee, hee.

If he play again this season I'll be a monkey's ass.

[JMarkJohns]

It's a long season, but, yeah, that take about 5-7 wins off my expectations.

[Thread]

^Suns fans over at 98.7 say it's a "good thing." Gives Socrates the job + they don't have to pay A.J..

[JMarkJohns]

Moronic. Pollock is one of the single best all around players in baseball.

He has no weakness.

Except his elbow, apparently.

[Thread]

Moronic. Pollock is one of the single best all around players in baseball.

He has no weakness.

Except his elbow, apparently.

I have to go thru a whole Summer of this D'Backs shit. By July I'll be fit to be tied.

[JMarkJohns]

Brito is a good prospect, but Pollock is an MVP candidate.

This doesn't end their season, but they now have to grind out a few more wins, and grinding wins is a trait of an experienced team who knows how to win.

Brito and OBrien are good depth, but over 4-6 months, the lack of Pollock will be noticed.

[txstr1986]

Sucks about AJ Pollock

[JMarkJohns]

Well, that's sucked...

[midnightpulp]

Blue Crew off to a good start :tu

[AlexJones]

Blue Crew off to a good start :tu
You'll be in for a good season brah, the depth is legitimate.

[JMarkJohns]

Played the hapless Padres.

Give it time.

[Robz4000]

:lol man the Padres are terrible. Again.

[midnightpulp]

You'll be in for a good season brah, the depth is legitimate.

Yeah. I'm digging the roster/rotation. Hopefully Seager will live up to the hype (Billy Ripken thinks he'll be an MVP candidate this season, and Billy likes his metrics), Pederson will have a break out year, and maybe Puig can wise up and live up to his potential.

Just wish we still had Dee Gordon :cry

[midnightpulp]

:lol Even Jap pitchers are hitting homers off the Padres. San Diego sports really are cursed.

[ducks]

Britto got out twice but moved the runner to third
One ball he nailed almost over heward head

[AlexJones]

Dave Roberts is an absolute moron. Worse than Mattingly.

[AlexJones]

Zack "regression to the mean" Greinke