The Dodgers have the best 1-2 punch in MLB with Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke. Kershaw may be the best left handed starter in the baseball. Kershaw is coming off of a spectacular 2012 season. Kershaw went 14-9 with a 2.53 ERA in 227.2 IP. He possessed a 1.02 WHIP and had 229 strikeouts, Kershaw is one of the most dominating pitchers in baseball. Behind Kershaw will beZck Greinke. Greinke signed with LA as a free agent in the offseason. Greinke won 15 games last season between Milwaukee and the Angels. Greinke added 200 strikeouts of his own. Korean pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu will follow these two in the rotation. The Dodgers are excited about Ryu and he will add plenty of strikeouts to this rotation. Chad Billingsley is healthy and had a decent 2012. Billingsley went 10-9 with a 3.55 ERA in 25 starts for the Dodgers. The Dodgers have Josh Beckett, Aaron Herang, Chris Capuano, and Ted Lilly who could all see some time in the rotation as well this season.
Relief Pitching:
Kelly Jansen should be the closer coming into the new season for the Dodgers. Jansen had 25 saves in 2012, and carried a 2.35 ERA. Brandon League struggled as the closer for Seattle in 2012, and was shipped to LA. League could be the closer if Jansen struggles. League is capable of taking over the closers role, League had 6 saves for LA last season and a 2.30 ERA. Javy Guerra appeared in 45 games for LA last season, Guerra went 2-3 with a 2.60 ERA. Ronald Belisario went 8-1 with a 2.54 ERA in 68 games last season out of the bullpen. Scott Elbert will be a lefty option out of the bullpen. Elbert, in 43 games had a 2.20 ERA.
Infield:
A.J Ellis will start behind the plate for the 2013 Dodgers. Ellis hit .270 for the Dodgers last season, adding 13 homers and 52 RBI. At third, will be Luis Cruz. Cruz played 78 games in 2012, giving Dodgers fans something to look forward to in 2013. Cruz hit .297 with 6 homers and 40 RBI. Hanley Ramirez was very good after being sent from Miami to LA last season. Ramirez added 25 points to his batting average, hitting .271 with LA, and he hit 10 homers after his move. Mark Ellis will man second base. Ellis who played in only 110 games last season, could possibly split some time with Nick Punto in 2013. Adrian Gonzalez will be the first baseman, Gonzalez was acquired from Boston in the late season trade. Gonzalez hit .297 after arriving in LA, but added only 3 homers in 36 games. Gonzalez may continue to lose power, but expect him to still hit for a high average and drive plenty of runs home.
Outfield:
The combination of the three outfielders, could be the best in MLB. Crawford played in only 31 games last season with Boston, hitting .282 with 3 homers and 5 steals. Crawford could benefit with a fresh start in LA. If he stays healthy he could be a key to a Dodgers title run. Matt Kemp will man center field for the Dodgers. Kemp had some injuries in 2012, limiting him to only 106 games.However, in the 106 games, Kemp hit .303 with 23 homers, and 69 RBI. The Dodgers need Kemp to stay healthy if they want a chance at the World Series. Andre Either rounds out the talented bunch. Ethier hit .284 with 20 HR and 89 RBI. Either struggles against lefties, but his numbers will continue to stay where they are. Either is a solid right fielder, and maybe the most durable.
Outlook:
I am going all-in with the Dodgers, they have put together a great starting rotation and lineup. This team should be able to win the West and make a run at a World Series Championship. My hope is that the team will be able to stay healthy. Kemp is an elite talent, Gonzalez is a solid bat, Hanley brings a lot of tools, and Crawford needs a new start. Kershaw is poised for a Cy Young run again this season. His teammate Greinke could also be a Cy Young finalist. This team is built to win a championship now, and I think they may get it. But for now I will just predict the Dodgers to win the National League West!
#2 San Francisco Giants
Stadium Capacity:
Manager:
2012 Record:
Starting Pitching:
The Giants return maybe the best staff in all of baseball in 2013. Matt Cain leads the group and he is coming off of a Cy Young worthy 2012 season. Cain went 16-5 with a 2.79 ERA. In 32 starts, Cain had 193 strikeouts, with a 1.04 WHIP. Madison Bumgarner follows Cain in the rotation. The young left hander had a solid 2012 season. Bumgarner tied with Cain in wins (16) and had 191strikeouts. Bumgarner went over 200 IP last season and I look for him to continue getting better. Tim Lincecum struggled most of 2012, Lincecum held a 10-15 record, and a 5.18 ERA. The strikeout numbers were still very good (190), Lincecum should bounceback in 2013. Ryan Vogelsong went 14-9 with a 3.37 ERA, in 31 starts. Barry Zito will round out the rotation, and he had a good 2012. Zito won 15 games in 32 starts.
Relief Pitching:
Sergio Romo and Santiago Casilla should both compete for the closer's role, with Brian Wilson no longer with the Giants. Romo and Casilla combines for 39 saves last season in Wilson's absence. Both pitchers are solid and posted a 1.79 and 2.84 ERA. Jeremy Affeldt joins them in the bullpen, Affeldt posted a 2.70 ERA in 67 games last season. The Giants picked up Jose Mijares from Kansas City last season, and he will be back providing a solid left handed reliever. Javier Lopez is another left handed option, he was solid again in 2012. In 70 games, Lopez held a 2.50 ERA.
Infield:
2012 MVP Buster Posey will be behind the plate. His 2012 numbers speak for themselves, .336 AVG, 24 HR, 103 RBI. Posey should continue to get better and could make it back-to-back MVP awards. Pablo Sandoval had some injuries in 2012, playing in only 108 games. But when Pablo is in the lineup, he provides instant offense. Pablo hit .283, with 12 homers and 63 RBI. Brandon Crawford is the starting SS, Crawford struggles at the plate, hitting only .248 last season. Marco Scutaro was on fire when he came to San Francisco after the mid season trade from Colorado. Scutaro hit .362 with the Giants, and was a key to the Championship run. Young first baseman Brandon Belt will look to improve on a decent 2012 season. Belt hit .275 with 7 homers and 56 RBI.
Outfield:
Gregor Blanco will start the season in left field for the Giants. Blanco has speed, as he swiped 26 bags last season. But he struggles to hit for a decent average. Andres Torres comes in as a free agent. Torres will replace Melky Cabrera in center field. Torres has big shoes to fill, as Melky was unstoppable before his suspension for PED. Torres hit only .230 for the Mets last season, but that average should be better this season. Hunter Pence will be the right fielder. Pence was acquired from the Phillies, and he struggled in a Giants uniform. Pence hit just .219 after the trade and but hit 7 HR and added 45 RBI.
Outlook:
It is very hard picking against the defending World Champs, but then again the Dodgers have built an all-star team. The Giants certainly have all the pieces there to make another run for a third World Series appearance in 4 years. I think the starting rotation might just be the best in the National League. The bullpen is solid, there are a few holes in the lineup though, which concerns me. I think the Giants will be in the postseason but as a Wild Card.
#3 Arizona Diamnondbacks
Stadium Capacity:
Manager:
2012 Record:
Starting Pitching:
Ian Kennedy will be back as the "ace" for the Diamondbacks rotation. Kennedy took a step back last season but still won 15 games. Kennedy reached the 200 IP mark, and posted a 4.02 ERA. Wade Miley will follow Kennedy in the starting rotation. Miley went 16-11 in 2012, with 144 strikeouts. Miley was a bright spot for the Diamondbacks in 2012, and they will look for similar results from him this season. Trevor Cahill posted 200 IP in 2012, and had 13 wins with an ERA of 3.78. The Diamondbacks picked up Brandon McCarthy from Oakland via trade. McCarthy will be a nice addition to the young rotation. Daniel Hudson or Patrick Corbinwill round out the rotation in 2013.
Relief Pitching:
J.J. Putz enters the season as the closer. Putz was solid in the role last season, finishing with 32 saves and a 2.82 ERA. Arizona brings in Heath Bell who struggled as the closer in Miami last season. David Hernandez appeared in 62 games last season,Hernandez finished with a 2-3 record and 2.50 ERA. The Diamondbacks also bring in Matt Reynolds from Colorado and Tony Sipp from Cleveland to provide a stable bullpen.
Infield:
Miguel Montero will be the starter at catcher for Arizona. In 2012, Montero hit .286, adding 15 homers and 88 RBI. Montero provides a solid bat for a pretty good Diamondbacks lineup. Martin Prado will start at third base. Prado comes over from Atlanta where in 2012 he hit .301. Prado added 42 doubles,10 homers and 70 RBI for the Braves last season. Arizona also picked up Cliff Pennington in a trade. Pennington comes in from Oakland where he struggled to a .215 AVG last season. Aaron Hill is coming off a a great 2012 campaign. Hill hit .302, with 44 doubles, 26 homers, and 85 RBI. Paul Goldschmidt comes into 2013 on a high note. Goldschmidt hit .286, with 20 homers, 82 RBI, 43 doubles, and 18 stolen bases.
Outfield:
Jason Kubel had a solid first season with Arizona in 2012. Kubel clubbed 30 homers, and added 90 RBI. Adam Eaton will get the start in center field to start 2013. Eaton played in 22 games in 2012, Eaton is one of Arizona's young prospects that should get plenty of playing time this season. Cody Ross will fill out the outfield at right field. Ross played 130 games in Boston last season. Ross hit .267, with 22 HR and 81 RBI.
Outlook:
The Diamondbacks are a young group. They made some moves getting rid of Chris Young and Justin Upton, but I think they could be a successful bunch without them. The rotation is full of durable arms and that will help late in the season. I really like the lineup for this team, I would put them second behind the Dodgers in the division offensively. This team could make a run at a wild card spot, its just hard to pick them above the defending World Champions and the Dodgers. I see them finishing 3rd but above .500, in 2013.
#4 Colorado Rockies
Stadium Capacity:
Manager:
2012 Record:
Starting Pitching:
The Rockies will come into the season with Jhoulys Chacin and Jorge De La Rosa as the top two guys in the rotation. Chacinmade just 14 starts last season and finished 3-5. De La Rosa had 3 starts om 2012. Young left handed Drew Pomeranz was 2-9 in 22 starts last season for Colorado. Juan Nicasio and Jeff Francis will round out the rotation.
Relief Pitching:
Rafael Betancourt will be the closer for Colorado, Betancourt had 31 saves last season. Matt Belisle will returns after posting 80 IP last season and a 3.71 ERA. Lefty Rex Brothers was 8-2 in 67.2 IP in 2012. Wilton Lopez joins Colorado from Houston, Lopez was 6-3 with 2.17 ERA, in 66.1 IP, for the Astros.
Infield:
Wilin Rosario will start behind the plate. Rosario had a monster year in 2012. Wilin hit .270 with 28 HR and 71 RBI. Chris Nelson will play third base, Nelson he .301 last season in 345 AB. Josh Rutledge is coming off a solid 2012. in 132 games, Rutledge hit .274 with 8 HR and 37 RBI. Troy Tulowitzki only played in 47 games last season. He hit .287 and 8 homers. Tulo will have to stay healthy for the Rockies to get out of last place in the West. Todd Helton will be back, and his best days are behind him. Jordan Pacheco should see plenty of time this season.
Outfield:
The Rockies outfield is a bright spot coming into 2013. Carlos Gonzalez hit .303 with 22 HR, 85 RBI, and 20 steals in 2012. Dexter Fowler hit .300 had 11 triples and 13 homers. Michael Cuddyer added 16 homers and 58 RBI. Cuddyer could see some time at first opening up right field for Tyler Colvin. Colvin hit .290 with 18 HR and 72 RBI.
Outlook:
If the Rockies can stay healthy, this team could make a move up the standings. The starting pitching is pretty bad, but everywhere else they look decent. I really like the Rockies outfield including Colvin, and if Tulowitski stays healthy he could have a monster year. I expect the Rockies to finish last, but I could see them up a spot at the end of the year.
#5 San Diego Padres
Stadium Capacity:
Manager:
2012 Record:
Starting Pitching:
Clayton Richard returns in 2013 as the Padres #1 SP. Richard was a solid option in 2012, going 14-14 with a 3.99 ERA. Richardate up 218.2 innings last season, making him a great option coming into 2013. Edison Volquez was 11-11 in his first season in San Diego. Volquez struck out 174 hitters in 182.2 innings. Eric Stults was very good last season. Stults went 8-3 with a 2.92 ERA. Tyson Ross, Anthony Bass, and Jason Marquis should contend for the final spots in the rotation. Andrew Cashner could make his way into the starting rotation as the season gets rolling.
Relief Pitching:
Huston Street comes back as the closer for San Diego. Street had 23 saves last season with a 1.85 ERA. Street should be a solidoption for the Padres to close out games in 2013. Brad Boxberger, Brad Brach and Luke Gregerson are three solid right hand options in the Padres bullpen. Joe Thatcher and Tommy Layne are a couple left handed options for 2013.
Infield:
Nick Hundley will be behind the plate, Hundley struggled in 58 games last season hitting under .200. Chase Headley had a monster season in 2012. Headley hit 31 homers and drove in 115 RBI. Headley hit for a solid .286 average and added 17 steals.Everth Cabrera had 44 steals last season. Logan Forsythe is starting at second, Logan hit .273 last season, in 91 games. Yonder Alonso had a great first season for the Padres. Alonso came over from the Reds for Latos, and Alonso played well. Alonso hit .273, added 39 doubles, 9 homers. and 62 RBI. Look for those numbers to improve in 2013.
Outfield:
Carlos Quentin had a decent 2012 season for the Padres. Quentin hit .261 with 16 homers and 46 RBI. Cameron Maybin has great speed and will be in center. Maybe had 26 stolen bases in 2012, Maybin just hit .24, but added 45 RBI. Will Venable will start in left field. Venable hit .264 with 9 homers and 24 steals in 2012. Chris Denorfia will be the fourth outfielder, Denorfia played in 130 games last season. and hit .293 with 8 homers and 13 steals.
Outlook:
There is not a whole lot to like about this team. They have some youth, but the pitching is lacking all around. I really like Alonsoand Headley to have solid seasons. Outside of those two the hitting is also pretty bad. I feel like this team is going to end 2013, at the bottom of the West.