Over the coming weeks, we’ll be taking a look at each division in baseball and gazing into the future for each club.
Now, we are not experts like the people over at SI. We’re not in locker rooms, not being flown out to spring training facilities to see how prospects and injury recoveries are progressing. So why should you read our preview?
1) It will be funnier (at least I hope)
2) We will make wild, crazy predictions that legitimate sources won’t dare make
3) We’ll talk a little fantasy baseball
4) Pro wrestlers. That’s right, we’ll compare each team to its 90’s pro wrestling counterpart. Spoiler alert: get ready for a Doink the Clown reference, Pirates fans!
And last, but not least, we come to the division that houses my favorite team: Los Doyers.
What I love about the NL West is not just my Doyers, but also the fact that it is the least predictable division in MLB. 4 of the 5 teams (sorry, Padres) have a legit shot at taking the division, which makes each inter-division game of the season mean just a little more. Let’s take a look at how it’s going to break down.
Los Angeles Dodgers – 2009 finish: 1st, 2010 prediction: 1st
The Wrap: Okay, so maybe it’s the homer in me that’s picking them to win again, but I just like this lineup too much. Manny should return from a slightly down year last year (oh how I wish a line of .290/19/63 was a ‘bad year’ for me) giving the Dodgers the best hitting outfield in the bigs. But everyone assumes they will hit, and that Broxton will shut things down at the end of games. But it’s the starting pitching that has everyone doubting the NL West repeat. Kershaw will act as ace after pitching like one in the second half of last season, and Chad Billingsly will try to recapture the magic he had in the first half last year, and Hiroki Kuroda will give them solid innings (along with Vincente Padilla). But there really is no 5th starter yet, and the other 4 are young or unspectacular. But I think they will patch just enough pitching together to lose to the Phillies in the playoffs for a third year straight.
Crazy Prediction: Gay marriage gets passed in California, Clayton Kershaw and I get married. What? A guy can dream, can’t he!
Fantasy Scoop: Russell Martin used to be an upper tier catcher. Then last year happened and everyone is scared of him know. But with the way he’s been falling in drafts, coupled with his added weight which should bring his power numbers back, he is the perfect upside pick if you miss out on the current big 4 of catching (Mauer, Martinez, McCann, Matt [Weiters]).
90′s Wrestler – Macho Man Randy Savage
Not only is Macho (like the Doyers) a constant contestant for main events, but both of them are/have experienced very public divorce proceedings. While the boys in blue watch their owners bicker over who owns them, Macho had to have his split with valet/wife Miss Elizabeth turned into part of on camera story lines.
Colorado Rockies – 2009 finish: 2nd (wild card), 2010 prediction: 4th
The Rub: The Rockies are a chic pick to win the division this year. They are really starting to resemble the Rays of a couple years ago with some home grown talent finally starting to reach The Show at the same time. They’ve got a franchise shortstop (Tulowitzki), a potential ace (Jimenez), and a definite flair for the dramatic down the stretch. But there is downside to those things as well. If they start flat (and youth can do that) and count on a crazy tear waiting for them in the second half and it doesn’t show, they’re screwed. And that’s what I predict to happen this year. It’s kind of like my first time having sex. All this expectation, let down by a soft start, and a late rally that I hope for but never materializes. Let’s just hope the season doesn’t tell the whole high school about the Rockies’ little problem…
Crazy Prediction: Rockies turn off the humidifiers, place 5 hitters in the top 20 in NL in HRs.
Fantasy Scoop: While everyone is gaga (the emotion, not the lady) over Jimenez, no one is talking about Jorge De La Rosa. De La Rosa was stellar down the stretch last year (I should know, I picked him up mid-August) and is set up to be a great number 2 to Jimenez. But unlike other solid number 2′s (Hamels, Cain, Billingsly) his price tag is much friendlier to drafters.
90′s Wrestler – Kane
People always thought Kane was built for main event status. And he was even given a couple short runs with the belt. But, alas, he was still always going to be the little brother. The one thing you could count on with Kane was the late rally. Just when his opponent thought he had him beat, Kane would do that little sit up move and then rally for victory.
San Francisco Giants – 2009 finish: 3rd, 2010 prediction: 3rd
The Rub: The Giants are armed, that’s for sure…they’re just not batted. With ace Lincecum followed by Cain, the Giants have such a great 1-2 punch that they will be in the mix for most of the years. Unfortunately, their inability to score runs for starters 3-5 is going to be there downfall. There are only so many times Pablo Sandoval can hit in a game.
Crazy Prediction: Barry Bonds comes out of retirement.
Fantasy Scoop: In really really REALLY deep leagues, catching prospect Buster Posey is not a terrible late round speculation pick. If they fall out of contention, they’ll probably bring him up for a little seasoning, and he could be what Weiters was last year.
90′s Wrestler – Sting
Sure, there are some really good things there, but something just still isn’t clicking. Sure, people will pretend that they want you as champion, but we all know you’re just keeping the belt warm for the Flairs and Hogans of the world.
Arizona Diamondbacks – 2009 finish: 4th, 2010 prediction: 2nd
The Rub: Once Webb comes back by midseason, the D-Backs will have by far the best 1-2 in baseball. That, coupled with some expected improvements by the young hitters (Drew, Jackson, Young, Montero) and you’ve got yourself a very dangerous club that no one wants to see in the postseason.
Crazy Prediction: Mark Reynolds joins 40/40 club.
Fantasy Scoop: There are some definite studs on this team (Haren, Justin Upton, Reynolds) but all those young guys I listed in ‘The Rub’ are great flier picks late in drafts.
90′s Wrestler – Cactus Jack
A guy who may look like a hot mess, but it turns out was destined for greatness.
San Deigo Padres – 2009 finish: 5th, 2010 prediction: 5th
The Rub: They are terrible. All anyone cares about is whether or not they trade Adrain Gonzalez or Heath Bell to real teams.
Crazy Prediction: Attendance soars as they start handing out flasks of scotch and Ron Burgundy mustaches at all home games.
Fantasy Scoop: Kyle Blanks is a stud prospect who some say could hit .280 with 20+ HRs this year.
90′s Wrestler – The Godfather
Someone is cheering for them, but I’m not sure who. Or why. Plus, catch phrase “pimpin’ aint’ easy” easily becomes “stinkin’ ain’t easy” when talking about how bad the Padres are.