MLB Predictions (NL West)

Its time to conclude my MLB Predictions with the NL West.

First, some music to listen to: Sweat by Tool



Besides Metallica back in the day, the group that got me into rock music more than any was Tool. Still remember the first time I heard Prison Sex and saw the video on MTV. Was speechless with its dark beauty.

I have Sweat up there because its from their first recorded EP.

But here’s Prison Sex below.



Of course, when you’re 12, you’re not really listening to the lyrics and just grooving to the song. Well, when you actually listen to the lyrics, yeah, pretty raw stuff.

Anyway, Tool formed in the city of my NL West Champions.

Here’s the condensed version for you out there that just want a quick read.

NL East: Philadelphia

NL Central: Chicago

NL West: Los Angeles

Wild Card: New York

NL Champs: Chicago

NL MVP (top-five):

1) David Wright, New York (I can already hear you out there about New York bias)
2) Albert Pujols, St. Louis (I know he’s going to win it but lets go out on a limb a little)
3) Ryan Howard, Philadelphia
4) Hanley Ramirez, Florida
5) Manny Ramirez, Los Angeles

NL Cy Young (top-five):

1) Carlos Zambrano, Chicago
2) Johan Santana, New York
3) Brandon Webb, Arizona
4) Edinson Volquez, Cincinnati
5) Cole Hamels, Philadelphia

NL Manager of the Year: Tony LaRussa, St. Louis

NL Rookie of the Year: Cameron Maybin, Florida

NL surprise teams relative to experts’ expectations (top-five):

1) Cincinnati
2) San Francisco
3) Atlanta
4) St. Louis
5) Houston

NL disappointing teams relative to experts’ expectations (top-five):

1) Atlanta
2) Chicago (will still win division but not run away with it)
2) New York
4) Arizona
5) Pittsburgh

NL Worst Team: Pittsburgh

NL West:

1) Los Angeles

Yea: Lots to like on this team, especially on offense, which is the best in the division. Of course, it starts with Manny. You saw how much of a force Ramirez was for them and he’s still playing for another contract so he’s going to be on his best behavior. Russell Martin is the leader and best catcher in baseball? Love, love the entire infield. Hudson at second was a huge pickup for them. Good move bringing back Furcal. Kemp and Ethier are nice outfielders. Kershaw has superstar potential. No more Andrew Jones is a good thing.

Ney: Manny can turn into bad Manny and that can be a bad thing. Martin may break down from catching so many games. The starting rotation can be underwhelming without a major ace emerging. Bullpen may let them down.

2) Arizona

Yea: Pitching. Webb and Haren are excellent, top level starting pitchers. Rest of rotation is good. Bullpen is solid. High potential on the field, especially from Stephen Drew, Chris Young and Justin Upton. Mark Reynolds is good third baseman.

Ney: Hitting. Can they score enough runs consistently to keep up with the Dodgers. If Webb or Harden go down with an injury, their season is pretty much done. Drew, Young and Upton have shown flashes of excellence but have to become more consistent for them to compete for division.

Fantasy focus: Look at picking up Reynolds because he may be undervalued in your league.

3) San Francisco

Yea: Pitching. Sensing a theme for this division? We all know about Lincecum, but the rest of the rotation is solid. Cain will get better, Randy Johnson will enjoy playing at that park and even Barry Zito has shown some life from the second half of the season. Offense will improve as well, especially with the arrival of rookie Pablo Sandoval.

Ney: Hitting. Another theme of division? Where are the runs coming from? Rowland was disappointing last season and not expecting more from him. Are you asking too much from Sandoval in his rookie season? Lincecum had brilliant last season but pitched a lot of innings, to expect him to do that again this year is asking too much. Cain needs to get more consistant. How will Johnson’s back hold up? Will you ever get max value from Zito?

Fantasy focus: Take a chance on Sandoval and Cain.

4) Colorado

Yea: Helton may finally be healthy and start producing up to his high standards. Excellent left side of the infield with Tulowitski and Atkins. Starting rotation isn’t great but not awful. Huston Street is a solid closer.

Ney: Everyone is starting to get hurt, especially with Helton and Tulowitski coming back from injuries that hampered them last season. The pitching can’t hold up to playing in that stadium. Losing Holliday was a major blow to their chances this season.

Fantasy focus: Look at all of their hitters and try to catch one that’s on a hot streak.

5) San Diego

Yea: Expectations are very low so there’s no pressure to do well. Adrian Gonzalez and Jake Peavy are All-Star caliber players.

Ney: It’s going to be a long year for the Padres. Both of those guys mentioned above may be gone by the middle of the season, especially Peavy who they were trying to give away in the offseason. Things are going to get a lot worse than better for them.