MLB Previews: NL West

With real-life, start keeping stats action opening a week from Monday, I figure it's about time to start my Major League Baseball season previews. I'll post one division at a time, and if it's a good day I may squeeze in two divisions. Between a busy week at work and a move from an apartment into a house, that may be all that happens here this week.

Starting with the NL West, which the Diamondbacks won by 1/2 game last year. Had to double-check that one, as the Rockies insane run that propelled them into the World Series made them seem like the best in the west.

The Diamondbacks made the most improvements over the off-season, the biggest of which was the trade that brought in Dan Haren from Oakland. Brandon Webb, Haren, and Randy Johnson -- if he's anything like healthy -- make up a top of the rotation that would rival any in baseball. Doug Davis and Micah Owings aren't a bad 4-5, either. Their lineup is young, and with Eric Byrnes as the best thing it's got going, Arizona could struggle offensively at times. Even so, pitching and defense win championships and I think that the Diamondbacks rotation sets them apart from the rest of the West.

The Rockies' appearance in last year's World Series came as a surprise to just about everyone, probably themselves included. Colorado had a very young and inexperienced roster heading into the playoffs, but only one of those labels still applies. The Rockies got hot at just the right time, and as the Cardinals proved the season before, an average season can be quickly forgotten with a surge of late-season momentum. I expect Colorado to struggle this season, especially once they realize winning 22 of 23 (or whatever it was) is a once-in-a-career phenomenon. Also, it's tough to predict whether everyone on the roster had a career season in 2007, or if guys like Matt Holliday and Troy Tulowitzki are just getting started.

For 160 games, San Diego was the best team in the NL West. But one out away from clinching the division, Trevor Hoffman coughed it up and the Padres failed to make the postseason. You have to think it's been a very long off-season. Somewhat typically, though, San Diego had a quiet off-season. GM Kevin Towers traded for aging centerfielder Jim Edmonds, signed LHP Randy Wolf, and bought the rights to pay Mark Prior's salary while he recovers from his latest injury. It's been a long time since the Padres wowed anyone with the big names on their roster, but they always seem to be in the hunt.

Things haven't gone well for the Dodgers this spring, and it wouldn't break my heart to see their struggles continue well beyond Opening Day. Jeff Kent has been bothered by a nagging hamstring and Nomar Garciaparra will likely start the season out with an injured wrist. Third baseman Andy LaRoche will miss the start of the season with a torn ligament in his thumb. Injuries aside, the Dodgers are a team loaded with young talent, not unlike the Rockies. Russell Martin had a breakout season last year; this season the distinction may belong to Andre Ethier. Even so, the nagging injuries and the apparent lack of chemistry that has troubled the team over the last few seasons will keep Los Angeles out of contention.

For the most part, the Giants' roster is a bad combination of has-beens (Rich Aurilia, Ray Durham, Omar Vizquel) and never will bes (Fred Lewis, Jack Taschner, Rajai Davis). In short, if it wasn't for Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain, San Francisco would be indistinguishable from a AAA team. If that sounds harsh, understand that it pains me to say it more than it would anger naive Giants fans to read it; I've been a die-hard San Francisco fan since 1989. Having said that, let's focus on the good. I expect 10-15 wins each from Lincecum and Cain -- not bad for a team that may not crack 70 victories for the entire season -- and ERAs in the 3.75 range. If Zito can manage to return to Cy Young form, which seems highly unlikely given his ghastly 10.31 spring ERA, the Giants could actually be decent. More than likely, though, they'll be shipping off their older players for a player to be named later or a resin bag and a tub of sunflower seeds.

PREDICTED STANDINGS

Team GB

Arizona --

Colorado 3

San Diego 8

Los Angeles 13

San Francisco 18