2012 NL West Predictions

[Cathy]

Predict the order in which you think the NL West Teams will finish in 2012.

San Francisco Giants
Los Angeles Dodgers
Colorado Rockies
Arizona Diamondbacks
San Diego Padres

[CoreyR]

Dodgers
D-Backs
Giants
Rockies
Padres

[Old Sweater]

I'd have to say the Giants with that pitching staff of theirs.

Only thing for certain I know of is I'll be rooting the Rockies on for at least 162 games.

[scooterbracy]

What a weird division...the Padres should be in last place at the end of the season, but the other four, they all have good/great talent in several spots, but have glaring weaknesses in others. I think this is the hardest division to pick because the Dbacks, Dodgers, Giants and Rockies could all win between 75-90 games. I think two of them will do really well, and two will struggle. The Dbacks surprised last year, but I think they'll fall back some. The Dodgers are still dealing with the ownership issue and although it should be resolved soon, I think they are still a few complimentary pieces away. That leaves the Giants (and their pitching and their improved hitting) and the Rockies (and their hitting and improved pitching). Good pitching beats good hitting, so let's go Giants, Rockies, Dodgers, D'Backs and Padres.

[Old Sweater]

Very nice written and thoughtful post Scooter.

[PitchingWins]

As a fan of the Black and Orange, the only team that scares me a little is Arizona.

I just do not see the Rockies as having any pitching depth, either in the rotation or the pen. I see no Ace. I see a lot of unproven talent that may turn into #3 or #4 starters at some point down the road. De La Rosa and Chacin have nice arms yet have little in their body of work and have already shown tremendous inconsistency. That pen is a who's who of who's that?

I love Tulo and CarGo as a very nice duo in any lineup yet there is virtually nothing before of after them. Even if Fowler emerges as the leadoff guy everyone hopes for, Scutaro has a big season in the two hole, Cuddyer and Helton have a solid #5 and #6 impact, Blake finds his youth (which he won't) and Ramon Hernandez stays solid as an offensive backstop while this lineup scores a ton of runs... the pitching does not support it. I honestly do not think the Rockies are going to have ALL offensive pieces fall into place. This club is my "dark horse" to lose 90 games!

The Dodgers? I see far too many holes! Kershaw is a legit Ace and he scares me. Lilly and ChadLey as the #2 and #3 do not. This rotation also has no depth. Capuano? Please. The pen is going to get a lot of work and this spells trouble in L.A.!

Let's assume that Kemp, Ethier and Loney all put up great years (which I doubt)? Gordon, Rivera, Uribe, Ellis and Ellis won't. And, this team will not play good defense. I still think the Dodgers will win more than they lose yet this team has far too many holes on the field and far too many issues off of it to truly be a factor in the NL West.

I have a feeling that the Padres are going to make some noise again... I just do not have any idea who is going to make it. I do think this will be a fun team to watch if you like baseball played old school... solid pitching from the rotation and pen, good defense, fundamentals and every guy making a contribution.

Arizona has a lot to like about them. Goldschmidt (in that park) is a .300/40/120 guy waiting to happen! They have a ton of offensive players in Upton, Young, Drew and Montero while Hill and Kubel are solid and Parra and Roberts are just gamers who compete and contribute in a lot of ways.

I do think that Kennedy and Hudson have a lot to prove still. Cahill intrigues me yet Collmenter, Saunders and the rest of their rotational prospects may or may not provide anything close to the depth they showed in '11. I also see that pen in regression mode... as in they are not middle of the road... they will live in the lower third of MLB and the NL. Putz will be the primary culprit.

All in all, I see the Giants having a superior inter-division record with the Padres and D-Backs having plus .500 within the division as well. I will not be surprised if four teams turn out as .500 or better overall.

Giants
Diamondbacks
Dodgers
Padres
Rockies