The National League West is very interesting to look at. Obviously the Rockies are not going to contend. In watching the Rockies, you just get a feeling that they are so far behind most teams in the league.The Rockies need a fresh and new approach.
The Giants are two games under .500 and trail the Dodgers by 9.5 games. However, only trail in the wildcard by 4.5 games. They just traded Soler and Jackson, most feel this was a salary dump for the Giants. They do have some interesting young players and their pitching staff could be elite when all are healthy. Webb, Snell, and Ray, with a weaker schedule could prove the golden ticket for the Giants. If they make the playoffs, they could make teams very uncomfortable. They probably won’t catch the Dodgers, and they have no head to head games left, but I really feel they could be a playoff team, sorry Mike!
The D-Backs are a prime example of what this division has to offer. They trail the Dodgers by seven games, and are only half a game out of the wildcard. We saw what they can do last year if they make the playoffs. Injuries have been an issue, but some of their stars have not taken that next step. This team has had more ups and downs than Goliath. They did address their bullpen inconsistencies, but unless Corbin Carroll gets it figured out the Dbacks struggles may continue.
Onpaper, the Padres should be just as good as the Dodgers. Remember early last year the push they gave the Dodgers? Profar has been their best player this season. I love that they went out and got Arraez early, but this team has drastically underperformed in the last few seasons. They were very active at the deadline, but will it be enough?
How good are the Dodgers? For all the off-season hype, I’m not buying that this team can win a world series. They go through the entire season playing meaningless games. Check out other divisions. No one pushes the Dodgers and it showed last year come the playoffs. Even the Guardians get pressure from Minnesota and Kansas City. The Dodgers again were active off the field at the deadline, but were the acquisitions just bandaids to a deeper problem?
So the Dodgers will win the West and make the playoffs for the 100th season in a row. Great, but unless someone in the division can push them, are they doomed to another first round exit? Can somebody please step up in this division and make this compelling? I believe the Padres are this team and if they don’t get it done, a serious look into a rebuild has to be done, because it’s not working.
