Here we go the final division breakdown, NL West provided us the last years champions the San Francisco Giants....can they repeat? After looking over the rosters each team looks pretty good.
1. San Francisco Giants
They have experience, they are proven and they are the best in the league till shown otherwise, oh and lets not forget they have Brian Wilson and his beard coming in to close the game. Tim Lincecum is the ace of what is a good rotation, with Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez and Barry Zito who looked good for the start of the season last year, young Madison Bumgarner is also in the rotation now. The pen we know about Brian Wilson coming in for the save, but what about before him. Sergio Romo appeared in 68 games last year striking 70 and recording 21 holds and Santiago Casilla appreaed in ten less games while recording a 1.95 ERA, 11 holds, and 56 strikeouts. Buster Posey is good behind the plate, Aubrey Huff is solid at first, Freddy Sanchez is back at second, veteran Miguel Tejada is at short and the young Kung-Fu Panda Pablo Sandoval is at third. Veteran utility man Mark DeRosa is good in right, Andres Torres is in center and Cody Ross in in left. They are still really good and can be Phillies biggest challenge.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
They got rid of Manny Ramirez late last season and I think that will play a big benefit this season, they team looks improved and the rotation has a mix of young and veteran starters. Starting with young Clayton Kershaw (Former Great Lakes Loon) who has a nice fastball and should of recorded a better record last year if not for poor run support in his games (13-10) 2.91 ERA. Behind Kershaw is another young starter Chad Billingsley, behind him is veteran Ted Lilly, Hiroki Kuroda is behind Lilly and is probably the low part of the five and Chad Garland is the fifth starter. Reliever Hong-Chih Kuo and closer Jonathan Broxton headline the bullpen Kuo recorded 73 strikeouts while posting an ERA of 1.20 and 20 holds, Broxton in 64 is looking to bounce back from a poor season last year. The Dodgers have two catchers who are coming off bad seasons at the plate but have been good before, veteran Rod Barajas should get the start but look for former Ray Dionner Navarro to get quality time. Lots of veterans in the infield with James Loney at first, Juan Uribe at second, Casey Blake at third and Rafeal Furcal at shortstop. The outfield has five players that could be helpful and makes a deep team with the starters looking to be Jay Gibbons in left, Matt Kemp in center, the clutch Andre Either in right, be looking for Marcus Thames and Tony Gwynn Jr. to get some time as well.
3. Colorado Rockies
The Rockies have been pretty good the last few years and even made it the the World Series a few years ago only to lose to the Boston Red Sox. Last year thier pitcher Ubaldo Jimmenez started a trend of no-hitters throughout the league. Jimmenez is back as the ace, and that is about it for the Rockies as far as starters go. The bullpen looks good though with Matt Belisle, Rafael Betancourt and some unproven young talent that if they preform well will give the Rockies a major boost to help the rotation. Closing is 2005 rookie of the year Hutson Street. Chris Iannetta is behind the plate, Todd Helton is back for another year at first, Jose Lopez is a hole at second and needs to step up, Troy Tulowitski is a good shortstop and Ian Stewart is good at third. Carlos Gonzalez showed off his bat last season hitting .336 and 34 home runs hopefully he brings back that production, Dexter Fowler is in center and Seth Smith is in right. Two young players who also need to bring it if the Rockies are to be successful.
4. San Diego Padres
These guys were a suprise last year as they gave the Giants a run at first place missing it by just two games. While they wont catch anybody by suprise this time around. Mat Latos and Aaron Harang are the focul points in the rotation, while the pen needs to find that go to guy and closing is Heath Bell who was very good last year with an ERA of 1.93, 47 saves and 86 strikeouts. Nick Hudley is catching, Brad Hawpe is a good first baseman, Orlando Hudson is good at second, Jason Bartlett is a good shortstop him and Hudson are good in the middle infield and Chase Headley is at thrid. The outfield has Ryan Ludwick at left and young Cameron Maybin in centerfield and has Will Venable in right. We'll see if the Padres from last year was just fluck or are they back as an organization.
5. Arizona Diamondbacks
Kirk Gibson took over what was one of the worst teams in the NL and really did some good things, we'll see if that can continue for the D-Backs. Ian Kennedy is the ace, with Joe Saunders, Zack Duke and the thrower of the best one hitter ever Armando Gallaraga in the rotation as well that is improved. Aaron Heilman should be good as the main reliever I think in the pen and JJ Putz is a solid closer 65 strikeotus and 14 saves with a 2.83 ERA last year when he wans't closing for the White Sox...and he went to Michigan which is always a plus. Miguel Montero is good behind the plate, not sure about Juan Miranda at first, Kelly Johnson was good at the plate last year and is at second base, Stephen Drew is a good young shortstop who is making a name for himself in the league and Melvin Mora is a good veteran at third base. Xavier Nady is in from his latest venture in Chicago, he was going to be playing first then got shipped out after Carlos Pena came in and Arizona will put him in left where he belongs, Chris Young is an exciting centerfielder and Justin Upton is good out in right. They are improved from last season but that isn't saying much.
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