NL West, 3.0: Is the division a three-team race?
Let's check back in on what the SportsLine says about the National League West, with an eye toward how things have changed since last time.
After all, spring training is winding down and Opening Day is in the offing. So it's time for a reset ...
Los Angeles Dodgers (94.9-67.1): The Dodgers haven't moved at all since early March.
While they've certainly endured their share of pitching attrition this spring, there's some good news, too.
| Â | Wins | Div% | Playoff% | NL | WS |
| Dodgers | 94.9 | 71.6% | 88.4% | 21.0% | 10.3% |
| Giants | 89.4 | 26.6% | 60.4% | 10.5% | 5.1% |
| Diamondbacks | 78.2 | 1.7% | 6.7% | 0.8% | 0.4% |
| Padres | 70.7 | 0.1% | 0.5% | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| Rockies | 64.5 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Specifically, import Kenta Maeda has pitched to 1.89 ERA in 19 spring innings with 24 strikeouts, five walks, and no home runs allowed. Obviously, spring numbers come with plenty of caveats, but the Dodgers are surely pleased to see Maeda thrive in his first extended exposure to stateside hitters.
Elsewhere, catcher Yasmani Grandal (forearm) looks like he'll avoid the DL to start the season.
SportsLine comes in almost five full wins ahead of Westgate's O/U of 90 wins for the Dodgers. I'd steer clear, though, because of reduced rotation depth and so many lineup regulars on the wrong side of 30.
The Dodgers are definite contenders, but I'm not comfortable calling them a strong bet to clear 90 wins.
San Francisco Giants (89.4-72.6):Â The Giants have shed almost two full wins since last time, and now SportsLine gives them just a 26.6 percent of winning the division.
Again, spring stats scarcely matter, but it let's us mention anyway that free agent acquisitions Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija have combined to give up 31 runs in 35 1/3 Cactus League innings.
On the upside, they're set to open the regular season without anyone of note on the DL.
Arizona Diamondbacks (78.2-83.8): And the Diamondbacks leak another win in the projected standings.
This speaks to the divide between what the projection models think about the 2016 Diamondbacks (and it's not just SportsLine -- pretty much all projections see this as a .500-ish team) and what casual expectations are surrounding the team that added Zack Greinke and Shelby Miller this offseason.
As camp comes to an end, valuable swingman Josh Collmenter is battling shoulder soreness and will likely hit the DL to start the season.
San Diego Padres (70.7-91.3):Â Take the under on Westgate's O/U of 73 wins for the Padres.
As you can see, our projection comes in below that figure, and the Padres, who will likely angle to restock the farm system after GM A.J. Preller gutted it via trades last offseason, may trade vets like Tyson Ross, Andrew Cashner, Derek Norris, and Alexei Ramirez, among others, before the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline.
Such a flurry of moves could "help" this team bottom out in 2016.
Colorado Rockies (64.5-97.5):Â The "good" news for the Rockies, who are undertaking a "soft" rebuild, is that they've lost more than half a projected win since last time, which puts them within spitting distance of the Braves for worst record in baseball and, by extension, top overall draft pick in 2017 (the Rockies have never had the No. 1 overall pick).
On the young pitching front, Jon Gray will be out until the middle of April with an abdominal strain.
How Gray, Jeff Hoffman, and Eddie Butler develop will be critical to the organization's future.
Share This Story